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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
absorb verb (absorbed, absorbing) 1 to take in or suck up (knowledge, etc). 2 scientific to take up or receive (matter or energy, eg water or radiation). 3 to receive or take something in as part of oneself or itself. 4 to engage all of (someone's attention or interest). 5 to reduce or lessen (the shock, force, impact, etc of something). 6 physics to take up (energy) without reflecting or emitting it. absorbability noun. absorbable adj. absorbed adj engrossed; intently interested. absorbedly adverb. absorbing adj engrossing; fascinating. absorbingly adverb.
ETYMOLOGY: 15c: from Latin ab away or from + sorbere to suck in.
absorb verb (absorbed, absorbing) 1 to take in or suck up (knowledge, etc). 2 scientific to take up or receive (matter or energy, eg water or radiation). 3 to receive or take something in as part of oneself or itself. 4 to engage all of (someone's attention or interest). 5 to reduce or lessen (the shock, force, impact, etc of something). 6 physics to take up (energy) without reflecting or emitting it. absorbability noun. absorbable adj. absorbed adj engrossed; intently interested. absorbedly adverb. absorbing adj engrossing; fascinating. absorbingly adverb.
ETYMOLOGY: 15c: from Latin ab away or from + sorbere to suck in.
absorb verb (absorbed, absorbing) 1 to take in or suck up (knowledge, etc). 2 scientific to take up or receive (matter or energy, eg water or radiation). 3 to receive or take something in as part of oneself or itself. 4 to engage all of (someone's attention or interest). 5 to reduce or lessen (the shock, force, impact, etc of something). 6 physics to take up (energy) without reflecting or emitting it. absorbability noun. absorbable adj. absorbed adj engrossed; intently interested. absorbedly adverb. absorbing adj engrossing; fascinating. absorbingly adverb.
ETYMOLOGY: 15c: from Latin ab away or from + sorbere to suck in.
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The Chambers Dictionary (13th edition)
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The Chambers Thesaurus
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Chambers Biographical Dictionary
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Thoroughly revised and updated for its 9th edition.
Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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