Absorb Definition

əb-zôrb, -sôrb

absorbed, absorbing, absorbs

verb

absorbed, absorbing, absorbs

To take (something) in through or as through pores or interstices.

American Heritage

To suck up.

Blotting paper absorbs ink.

Webster's New World

To occupy the attention, interest, or time of; engross.

The problem completely absorbed her.

American Heritage

To take up the full attention or energy of; engross.

Webster's New World

To take up or occupy (one's time or interest, for example).

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Absorb

First attested around 1425. From Middle French absorber, from Old French assorbir,from Latin absorbeō (“swallow up”), from ab (“from”) + sorbeō (“suck in, swallow”); akin to Ancient Greek ῥοφέω (ropheō, “sup up”), Middle Irish srub (“snout”), Lithuanian srēbti (“to sip”), and perhaps to Middle High German sürpfeln (“to sip”), and Norwegian slurpe. Compare French absorber.

From Wiktionary
Middle English to swallow up from Old French absorber from Latin absorbēre ab- away ab–¹ sorbēre to suck

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition