3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Absorb  \Ab*sorb"\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Absorbed};  p.  pr  &  vb 
  n.  {Absorbing}.]  [L.  absorbere  ab  +  sorbere  to  suck  in  akin 
  to  Gr  ?:  cf  F.  absorber.] 
  1.  To  swallow  up  to  engulf;  to  overwhelm;  to  cause  to 
  disappear  as  if  by  swallowing  up  to  use  up  to  include. 
  ``Dark  oblivion  soon  absorbs  them  all.''  --Cowper. 
 
  The  large  cities  absorb  the  wealth  and  fashion.  --W. 
  Irving. 
 
  2.  To  suck  up  to  drink  in  to  imbibe;  as  a  sponge  or  as  the 
  lacteals  of  the  body.  --Bacon. 
 
  3.  To  engross  or  engage  wholly;  to  occupy  fully;  as  absorbed 
  in  study  or  the  pursuit  of  wealth. 
 
  4.  To  take  up  by  cohesive,  chemical,  or  any  molecular  action 
  as  when  charcoal  absorbs  gases.  So  heat,  light,  and 
  electricity  are  absorbed  or  taken  up  in  the  substances 
  into  which  they  pass.  --Nichol.  --p.  8 
 
  Syn:  To  {Absorb},  {Engross},  {Swallow  up},  {Engulf}. 
 
  Usage:  These  words  agree  in  one  general  idea,  that  of 
  completely  taking  up  They  are  chiefly  used  in  a 
  figurative  sense  and  may  be  distinguished  by  a 
  reference  to  their  etymology.  We  speak  of  a  person  as 
  absorbed  (lit.,  drawn  in  swallowed  up)  in  study  or 
  some  other  employment  of  the  highest  interest.  We 
  speak  of  a  person  as  ebgrossed  (lit.,  seized  upon  in 
  the  gross,  or  wholly)  by  something  which  occupies  his 
  whole  time  and  thoughts,  as  the  acquisition  of  wealth, 
  or  the  attainment  of  honor.  We  speak  of  a  person 
  (under  a  stronger  image)  as  swallowed  up  and  lost  in 
  that  which  completely  occupies  his  thoughts  and 
  feelings,  as  in  grief  at  the  death  of  a  friend,  or  in 
  the  multiplied  cares  of  life.  We  speak  of  a  person  as 
  engulfed  in  that  which  (like  a  gulf)  takes  in  all  his 
  hopes  and  interests;  as  engulfed  in  misery,  ruin, 
  etc 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Absorbing  \Ab*sorb"ing\,  a. 
  Swallowing,  engrossing;  as  an  absorbing  pursuit.  -- 
  {Ab*sorb"ing},  adv 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  absorbing 
  adj  :  capable  of  arousing  and  holding  the  attention;  "a 
  fascinating  story"  [syn:  {engrossing},  {fascinating},  {gripping}, 
  {riveting}] 

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