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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | absorber, from Latin absorbere, from ab- 'away' + sorbere 'to suck up' |
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ab‧sorb W3
[transitive]
[transitive]1 to take in liquid, gas, or another substance from the surface or space around something : 
Plants absorb nutrients from the soil.
liquid/gas
Plants absorb nutrients from the soil.2 to read or hear a large amount of new information and understand it : Her capacity to absorb information is amazing.
information
Her capacity to absorb information is amazing.3 to interest someone so much that they do not pay attention to other things : The movement and noise of the machines absorbed him completely.
interest
The movement and noise of the machines absorbed him completely.4 to become part of something larger : California absorbs many of the legal immigrants to the US.
become part of something
California absorbs many of the legal immigrants to the US.5 if something absorbs light, heat, energy, or noise, it takes it in : Darker surfaces absorb heat.
light/heat/energy/noise
Darker surfaces absorb heat.6 if something absorbs changes or costs, it accepts them and deals with them successfully : The beer industry had absorbed a doubling of federal tax in 1991.
deal with change/costs
The beer industry had absorbed a doubling of federal tax in 1991.7 if something absorbs money, time etc it uses a lot of it : Defence spending absorbs almost 20% of the country's wealth.
money/time
Defence spending absorbs almost 20% of the country's wealth.8 to reduce the effect of a sudden violent movement : A well-designed sports shoe should absorb the impact on your feet.
force
A well-designed sports shoe should absorb the impact on your feet.
