absorption
/æbˈsɔɹp.ʃn̩/ noun C1- The act or process of absorbing or of being absorbed as, · The sponge showed remarkable absorption of water.· Plants rely on the absorption of sunlight for photosynthesis.
- assimilation; incorporation. · the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger· the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool
- the imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action, of radiant energy; the process of being neutrons being absorbed by the nucleus; interception. · the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc.
- The process in which incident radiant energy is retained by a substance (such as an air mass) by conversion to some other form of energy (such as heat).
- in living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs; taking in by various means, such as by osmosis.
- Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind. · absorption in some employment
- Mental assimilation.
- The retaining of electrical energy for a short time after it has been introduced to the dielectric.
Plural absorptions
From the library
Holmes sat silently, with his head thrown back and his eyes closed, in an attitude which might seem listless to a stranger, but which I knew betokened the most intense self-absorption.
“And you really believe the result would be still more sure with us than in the East, and in the midst of our fogs and rains a man would habituate himself more easily than in a warm latitude to this progressive absorption of poison?”
Learn absorption in real texts
With a free account, hover any word in the library for its meaning, hear it read aloud, save words for review timed to your memory, and see how much of each book you already know.