absorption
nounUK /əbˈzɔːp.ʃn̩/ · US /æbˈsɔɹp.ʃn̩/
Etymology First attested in 1597. From Latin absorptiō (“a sucking in”), from absorbeō (“absorb”). Morphologically absorb + -tion.
9 senses
- 1The act or process of absorbing or of being absorbed as,
- 2engulfing; swallowing up, as of bodies or land.
- 3assimilation; incorporation.
- 4the imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical…
- 5The process in which incident radiant energy is retained…
- 6in living organisms, the process by which the materials…
- 7Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind.
- 8Mental assimilation.
- 9The retaining of electrical energy for a short time…
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.
1 more example
- His complete absorption in the novel made him lose track of time.
Obsolete engulfing; swallowing up, as of bodies or land.
assimilation; incorporation.
- the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger
- the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics Physical 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.
Climatology, Meteorology, Natural sciences 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).
Medicine, Physiology, Sciences 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
- A complete absorption testified their breathless interest.1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:
Mental assimilation.
Business, Electrical, Electrical engineering, Electricity, Electromagnetism, Energy, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics The retaining of electrical energy for a short time after it has been introduced to the dielectric.
- Derived terms
47 terms
absorptance, absorptiometer, absorptiometric, absorptiometry, absorptional, absorption band, absorption cell, absorption coefficient, absorption costing, absorption dynamometer, absorption edge, absorption factor, absorption hygrometer, absorption identity, absorptionism, absorptionist, absorption law, absorption line, absorption nebula, absorption pipette, absorption refrigerator, absorption spectroscopy, absorption spectrum, absorption system, absorptive, atomic absorption spectroscopy, bioabsorption, Chappuis absorption, dielectric absorption, electroabsorption, fluorine absorption dating, hyperabsorption, immunoabsorption, interabsorption, isoabsorption, law of absorption, magnetabsorption, magnetoabsorption, malabsorption, nonabsorption, overabsorption, phonoabsorption, photoabsorption, preabsorption, reabsorption, self-absorption, shock absorption- Related terms
- adsorption, sorption