[im.bibe] vb im.bibed ; im.bib.ing [in sense 1, fr. ME enbiben, fr. MF embiber, fr. L imbibere to drink in, conceive, fr. in- + bibere to drink; in other senses, fr. L imbibere--more at potable] vt (14c) 1 archaic: soak, steep
2. a: to receive into the mind and retain "~ moral principles" b: to assimilate or take into solution 3 a: drink b: to take in or up "a sponge ~s moisture" ~ vi 1: drink
2. 2 a: to take in liquid b: to absorb or assimilate moisture, gas, light, or heat -- im.bib.er n