Absorption
[əb'zɔːpʃ(ə)n;-'sɔːp-] or [əbˈsɔrpʃən,-ˈzɔrp-]
Definition
(noun.) (chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid.
(noun.) (physics) the process in which incident radiated energy is retained without reflection or transmission on passing through a medium; 'the absorption of photons by atoms or molecules'.
Checker: Rhonda--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything, or of being absorbed and made to disappear; as, the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool, the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger.
(n.) An imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action; as, the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc.
(n.) In living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs.
(n.) Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as, absorption in some employment.
Checker: Wilmer
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Absorbing.[2]. Engrossment, occupation, engagement, immersion.
Edited by Jeanne
Examples
- This process is repeated several times, the object of it being not so much to give relief to the lines, as to roughen the surface of the stone, and thus facilitate its absorption of water. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- Absorption and Compression Methods Described. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Vaporisation, absorption, compression or reduction of atmospheric pressure are the principal methods of producing cold. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- And such media have no fixed saturation point where further absorption is impossible. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Carré of France invented successful machines about 1870 for making ice by the rapid absorption and evaporation of heat by the ammonia process. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The talk among the rest went on unrestrainedly, for nothing disturbed Caleb's absorption except shaking the table when he was writing. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- The principle of making ice by evaporation and absorption may be illustrated by two examples of the Carré methods:--It is well known what a great attraction sulphuric acid has for water. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The great social adventure of America is no longer the conquest of the wilderness but the absorption of fifty different peoples. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Absorption, engrossment, full concern with subject matter for its own sake, nurture it. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Too passionate an absorption in public affairs is felt to be a somewhat shallow performance, and the reformer is patronized as a well-meaning but rather dull fellow. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Absorption machines were the outgrowth of Faraday’s observations in 1823. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- That is why their issues are so sterile; that is why the absorption in next steps is a diversion from statesmanship. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- After several relapses into business-absorption, Mr. Lorry had become the Doctor's friend, and the quiet street-corner was the sunny part of his life. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- And undue absorption at the outset in the physical object of sense hampers this growth. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Lily started from her attitude of absorption; her smile faded and she began to move toward the lane. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
Inputed by Julio