ə̇mˈbīb verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English enbiben, from Middle French embiber, from Latin imbibere to drink in, conceive, from in- in- (II) + bibere to drink; in other senses, from Latin imbibere — more at potable
transitive verb
1. archaic : to cause to absorb liquid : soak
2.
a. : to receive into the mind and retain : assimilate
imbibe moral principles
b. : to assimilate (as gas, light, or heat) or take into solution
3.
a. : to consume by drinking
imbibes vast quantities of strong coffee
b. : to drink in : absorb
plants can imbibe as much nourishment through their leaves as via their roots — F.J.Taylor
a sponge imbibing moisture
intransitive verb
1. : drink 2
2.
a. : to take in or up liquid
b. : to absorb or assimilate moisture, gas, light, or heat