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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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.
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The large cities absorb the wealth and fashion. --W.
Irving.
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2. To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the
lacteals of the body. --Bacon.
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3. To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed
in study or the pursuit of wealth.
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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.
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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.
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That grave question which had begun to absorb
the Christian mind -- the marriage of the
clergy. --Milman.
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Too long hath love engrossed Britannia's stage,
And sunk to softness all our tragic rage.
--Tickell.
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Should not the sad occasion swallow up
My other cares? --Addison.
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And in destruction's river
Engulf and swallow those. --Sir P.
Sidney.
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