English
absorbent
Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /əbˈsɔː.bn̩t/, /əbˈzɔː.bn̩t/
  • (America) IPA: /æbˈsɔɹ.bn̩t/, /æbˈzɔɹ.bn̩t/, /əbˈsɔɹ.bn̩t/, /əbˈzɔɹ.bn̩t/
Adjective

absorbent

  1. Having the ability or tendency to absorb; able to soak up liquid easily; absorptive. [First attested in the early 18th century.]
    Those paper towels were amazingly absorbent. That was quite a spill.
Translations Noun

absorbent (plural absorbents)

  1. Anything which absorbs. [First attested in the early 18th century.]
  2. (physiology, pluralized, now, rare) The vessels by which the processes of absorption are carried on, as the lymphatics in animals, the extremities of the roots in plants. [First attested in the mid 18th century.]
  3. (medicine) 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. (chemistry) A liquid used in the process of separating gases or volatile liquids, in oil refining.
Translations Translations

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