— absorbable , adj. — absorbability n.
/ab sawrb", -zawrb"/ , v.t.
1. to suck up or drink in (a liquid); soak up: A sponge absorbs water.
2. to swallow up the identity or individuality of; incorporate: The empire absorbed many small nations.
3. to involve the full attention of; to engross or engage wholly: so absorbed in a book that he did not hear the bell.
4. to occupy or fill: This job absorbs all of my time.
5. to take up or receive by chemical or molecular action: Carbonic acid is formed when water absorbs carbon dioxide.
6. to take in without echo, recoil, or reflection: to absorb sound and light; to absorb shock.
7. to take in and utilize: The market absorbed all the computers we could build. Can your brain absorb all this information?
8. to pay for (costs, taxes, etc.): The company will absorb all the research costs.
9. Archaic. to swallow up.
[ 1480-90; absorbere, equiv. to ab- AB- + sorbere to suck in, swallow ]
Syn. 2. assimilate, consume, devour, engulf; destroy.