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absorption

 - 6 dictionary results

ab⋅sorp⋅tion

  [ab-sawrp-shuhn, -zawrp-]
Use absorption in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of absorbing.
2. the state or process of being absorbed.
3. assimilation; incorporation: the absorption of small farms into one big one.
4. uptake of substances by a tissue, as of nutrients through the wall of the intestine.
5. a taking in or reception by molecular or chemical action, as of gases or liquids.
6. Physics. the removal of energy or particles from a beam by the medium through which the beam propagates.
7. complete attention or preoccupation; deep engrossment: absorption in one's work.
Origin:
1590–1600; < L absorptiōn- (s. of absorptiō), equiv. to absorpt(us), ptp. of absorbēre to absorb + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ab·sorp·tion   (əb-sôrp'shən, -zôrp'-)   
n.  

  1. The act or process of absorbing or the condition of being absorbed.

  2. A state of mental concentration.


[Latin absorptiō, absorptiōn-, from absorptus, past participle of absorbēre, to absorb; see absorb.]
ab·sorp'tive (-tĭv) adj., ab'sorp·tiv'i·ty n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ab·sorp·tion
Function: noun
: the application to the states of rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution Powell [v. Alabama] was sometimes described as having absorbed the right to counsel, the Court there clearly limited any such absorption —W. Railroad LaFave and J. H. Israel>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ab·sorp·tion
Pronunciation: &b-'sorp-sh&n, -'zorp-
Function: noun
1 : the process of absorbing or of being absorbed<absorption of nourishment in the small intestine> —compare ADSORPTION
2 : interception of radiant energy or sound waves
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

absorption ab·sorp·tion (əb-sôrp'shən, -zôrp'-)
n.
The taking in or incorporation of something, such as a gas, a liquid, light, or heat.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
absorption   (əb-sôrp'shən)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. Biology The movement of a substance, such as a liquid or solute, across a cell membrane by means of diffusion or osmosis.

  2. Chemistry The process by which one substance, such as a solid or liquid, takes up another substance, such as a liquid or gas, through minute pores or spaces between its molecules. A paper towel takes up water, and water takes up carbon dioxide, by absorption. Compare adsorption.

  3. Physics The taking up and storing of energy, such as radiation, light, or sound, without it being reflected or transmitted. During absorption, the energy may change from one form into another. When radiation strikes the electrons in an atom, the electrons move to a higher orbit or state of excitement by absorption of the radiation's energy.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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