English Explanatory Dictionary

absorbent

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Having the ability or tendency to absorb; able to soak up liquid easily; absorptive.
noun
  1. Anything which absorbs.
  2. The vessels by which the processes of absorption are carried on, as the lymphatics in animals, the extremities of the roots in plants.
  3. Any substance which absorbs and neutralizes acid fluid in the stomach and bowels, as magnesia, chalk, etc.; also a substance, e.g., iodine, which acts on the absorbent vessels so as to reduce enlarged and indurated parts.
  4. A liquid used in the process of separating gases or volatile liquids, in oil refining.

Pronunciation

/əbˈsɔː.bn̩t/ /əbˈzɔː.bn̩t/ /æbˈsɔɹ.bn̩t/ /æbˈzɔɹ.bn̩t/ /əbˈsɔɹ.bn̩t/ /əbˈzɔɹ.bn̩t/ en-us-absorbent.ogg

Word forms

absorbent more absorbent most absorbent absorbents

Etymology

From Latin absorbēns, present active participle of absorbeō (“absorb”).

Derived words

absorbent core absorbent cotton absorbent ground absorbently absorbent paper hydroabsorbent immunoabsorbent nonabsorbent non-absorbent photoabsorbent superabsorbent unabsorbent
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