[ əb'zɔ:b , -'sɔ:b ]
■ verb
1》 soak up (liquid or another substance).
2》 take in (information).
3》 assimilate (a lesser entity) into a larger one.
4》 use up (time or resources).
5》 reduce the effect or intensity of (sound or an impact).
6》 [usu. as adjective ~ed or ~ing ] engross the attention of.
Derivatives
~ability noun
~able adjective
~edly adverb
~er noun
~ingly adverb
Origin
ME: from L. ~ere , from ab- 'from' + sorbere 'suck in'.