absorb English · revision 39517

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1490, Caxton's Eneydos|origins=ine-pro *srebʰ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * UK: /əbˈzɔːb/, /əbˈsɔːb/^(Wiktionary)

+ * US: /æbˈsɔɹb/, /æbˈzɔɹb/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|absorber]] and partly a direct borrowing of [[la|absorbeō|t=to swallow down, devour, engulf]].^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024) In Old French the verb is recorded from the mid-11th century as [[m|fro|assorber|t=to engulf]], and later as [[m|fro|assorbir]];^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) Barnhart says the Middle French form was refashioned after Latin.^(Barnhart 1988) The Latin verb is formed from [[m|la|ab-|t=away, off]] and [[m|la|sorbeō|t=to suck in, swallow]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2024)^(Klein 1966)^(Ayto 2005) from [[ine-pro|*srebʰ-|t=to suck, drink noisily]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) also the source of [[grc|ῥοφέω|tr=rhophéō|t=to gulp down]], [[xcl|արբի|tr=arbi|t=I drank]] and [[lt|srėbti|t=to sip]].^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(OED 2026) Ayto sees in the root an imitation of the sound of noisy drinking.^(Ayto 2005)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To swallow up or engulf, especially in water: 1490, in Caxton's translation of the ''Eneydos''.^(OED 2026) Etymonline dates the verb to the early 15th century and Barnhart to probably about 1425, while Dictionary.com gives 1480–90.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The literal "swallow up" sense, often used figuratively, lasted until the late 18th century.^(OED 2026) From 1554 the verb meant to take something in so that it loses its separate identity, now especially of a larger body taking over a smaller one,^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002) and later (1604) of a substance soaking up liquid.^(OED 2026) Natural philosophy added the taking in of light and other radiation (1661),^(OED 2026) while after 1686 money or time could be absorbed, that is, used up.^(OED 2026) The sense of engrossing a person's attention is dated 1749 in the OED and 1763 in Etymonline.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) Later uses include deadening a shock or vibration (1791), coping with difficulties without visible effect (1826) and taking in information (1840).^(OED 2026) Johnson (1755) gave the past participle as either ''absorbed'' or ''absorpt''.^(Johnson 1755)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1490 – to swallow up, engulf (obsolete by 1782).^(OED 2026)

+ * 1554 – to incorporate, assimilate.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1604 – to soak up a liquid.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1661 – to take in light or radiation.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1686 – to use up money or time.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1749 – to engross someone's attention;^(OED 2026) 1763 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1791 – to deaden a shock or vibration.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1821 – (colloquial) to eat or drink with relish.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1840 – to take in information.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To soak up a [[liquid]] or other substance: ''The towel absorbed most of the spilled milk.''^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # To take in [[energy]], heat, [[light]] or sound without reflecting or passing it on.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # To reduce the force of an impact or shock.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # To take something into a larger whole; to [[incorporate]] or [[assimilate]]: ''The village was gradually absorbed into the city.''^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)^(OED 2026)

+ # To take in and understand information or experience.^(OED 2026)

+ # To occupy someone's attention completely; to [[engross]]: ''The puzzle absorbed her for hours.''^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # To use up resources or time; in business, to bear a cost oneself or to accept goods into the market.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[absorbability]]

+ * [[absorbable]]

+ * [[absorber]]

+ * [[absorbingly]]

+ * [[absorbance]]

+ * [[absorbefacient]]

+ * [[overabsorb]]

+ * [[preabsorb]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[absorption]]

+ * [[absorbent]]

+ * [[adsorb]]

+ * [[resorb]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}