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adsorption - 6 dictionary results

ad⋅sorb

  [ad-sawrb, -zawrb]
Use adsorption in a Sentence
–verb (used with object) Physical Chemistry.
to gather (a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance) on a surface in a condensed layer: Charcoal will adsorb gases.
Origin:
1880–85; ad- + (ab)sorb

Related forms:
ad⋅sorb⋅a⋅ble, adjective
ad⋅sorb⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun
ad⋅sorb⋅ent, adjective, noun
ad⋅sorp⋅tion  [ad-sawrp-shuhn, -zawrp-] , noun
ad⋅sorp⋅tive, adjective
ad⋅sorp⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ad·sorp·tion   (ād-sôrp'shən, -zôrp'-)   


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n.  The accumulation of gases, liquids, or solutes on the surface of a solid or liquid.

[From adsorb.]
ad·sorp'tive (-tĭv) adj.
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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adsorption

The assimilation of a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance by the surface of a solid.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry: ad·sorp·tion
Pronunciation: ad-'sorp-sh&n, -'zorp-
Function: noun
: the adhesion in an extremely thin layer of molecules (as ofgases, solutes, or liquids) to the surfaces of solid bodies or liquids with which they are in contact —compare ABSORPTION —ad·sorp·tive /-'sorp-tiv, -'zorp-/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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adsorption ad·sorp·tion (ād-sôrp'shən, -zôrp'-)
n.
The property of a solid or liquid to attract and hold to its surface a gas, liquid, solute, or suspension.

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


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The process by which molecules of a substance, such as a gas or a liquid, collect on the surface of another substance, such as a solid. The molecules are attracted to the surface but do not enter the solid's minute spaces as in absorption. Some drinking water filters consist of carbon cartridges that adsorb contaminants. Compare absorption.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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