Definition of absorb

peruse Definition: (verb) to examine or study. Petersons.com

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ab·sorb    (b-sôrb, -zôrb) KEY  

TRANSITIVE VERB:
ab·sorbed , ab·sorb·ing , ab·sorbs

1. To take (something) in through or as through pores or interstices.
2. To occupy the full attention, interest, or time of; engross. See Synonyms at monopolize.
3. To retain (radiation or sound, for example) wholly, without reflection or transmission.
4. To take in; assimilate: immigrants who were absorbed into the social mainstream.
5. To learn; acquire: "Matisse absorbed the lesson and added to it a new language of color" (Peter Plagen).
6. To receive (an impulse) without echo or recoil: a fabric that absorbs sound; a bumper that absorbs impact.
7. To assume or pay for (a cost or costs).
8. To endure; accommodate: couldn't absorb the additional hardships.
9. To use up; consume: The project has absorbed all of our department's resources.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, to swallow up, from Old French absorber, from Latin absorbre : ab-, away ; see ab- ¹ + sorbre, to suck

OTHER FORMS:
ab·sorba·bili·ty (Noun), ab·sorba·ble (Adjective), ab·sorbed·ly (Adverb), ab·sorber (Noun), ab·sorbing·ly (Adverb)

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