absorption — ONAD

absorption /əbˈzôrpSH(ə)n, , əbˈzɔrpʃ(ə)n

, əbˈsôrpSH(ə)n, əbˈsɔrpʃ(ə)n

▸ noun

1 the process or action by which one thing absorbs or is absorbed by another:

shock absorption

East Germany's absorption into West Germany.

2 the fact or state of being engrossed in something:

her absorption in the problems of the Third World.

– ORIGIN late 16th century (in the sense ‘the swallowing up of something’): from Latin absorptio(n-), from absorbere ‘swallow up’ (see absorb).