absorb — ONAD

absorb /əbˈzôrb, , əbˈzɔrb

, əbˈsôrb, əbˈsɔrb

▸ verb [with object]

1 take in or soak up (energy or a liquid or other substance) by chemical or physical action:

buildings can be designed to absorb and retain heat

steroids are absorbed into the bloodstream.

▪ take in and understand fully (information, ideas, or experience):

she absorbed the information in silence.

▪ take control of (a smaller or less powerful entity) and make it a part of a larger one:

the family firm was absorbed into a larger group.

▪ use or take up (time or resources):

arms spending absorbs roughly two percent of the national income.

▪ take up and reduce the effect or intensity of (sound or an impact):

deep-pile carpets absorbed all sound of the outside world.

2 (often be absorbed in) take up the attention of (someone); interest greatly:

she sat in an armchair, absorbed in a book

the work absorbed him and continued to make him happy.

– ORIGIN late Middle English : from Latin absorbere, from ab- ‘from’ + sorbere ‘suck in’.