absorption

First attested in 1597. From Latin absorptiō (“a sucking in”), from absorbeō (“absorb”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əbˈzɔːp.ʃn̩/, /əbˈsɔːp.ʃn̩/
• (US) IPA^(key): /æbˈsɔɹp.ʃn̩/, /æbˈzɔɹp.ʃn̩/, /əbˈzɔɹp.ʃn̩/, /əbˈsɔɹp.ʃn̩/

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• Hyphenation: ab‧sorp‧tion

absorption (countable and uncountable, plural absorptions)

1. The act or process of absorbing or of being absorbed as,
   1. (obsolete) engulfing; swallowing up, as of bodies or land. [Attested from the late 16^th century until the mid 18^th century.][1]
   2. assimilate; incorporation. [First attested in the mid 18^th century.][1]

      the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger

      the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool

   3. (chemistry, physics) the imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action, of radiant energy; the process of being neutrons being absorbed by the nucleus; interception. [First attested in the mid 18^th century.][1]

      the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc.

   4. (physiology) 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. [First attested in the mid 18^th century.][1]
2. Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind. [First attested in the mid 19^th century.][1]

   absorption in some employment

3. Mental assimilation. [First attested in the mid 20^th century.][1]
4. (electrical engineering) The retaining of electrical energy for a short time after it has been introduced to the dielectric.

• absorption in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• absorption in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

• probations

absorption

1. Genitive singular form of absorptio.

• IPA^(key): /ap.sɔʁp.sjɔ̃/

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absorption f (plural absorptions)

1. absorption

• “absorption” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).