1. Anything which absorbs.
The ocean, itself a bad absorbent of heat.
Darwin.
2. (Med.) 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.
3. pl. (Physiol.) The vessels by which the processes of absorption are carried on, as the lymphatics
in animals, the extremities of the roots in plants.
Absorber
(Ab*sorb"er) n. One who, or that which, absorbs.
Absorbing
(Ab*sorb"ing), a. Swallowing, engrossing; as, an absorbing pursuit. — Ab*sorb"ing, adv.
Absorbition
(Ab`sor*bi"tion) n. Absorption. [Obs.]
Absorpt
(Ab*sorpt`) a. [L. absorptus, p. p.] Absorbed. [Arcahic.] "Absorpt in care." Pope.
Absorption
(Ab*sorp"tion) n. [L. absorptio, fr. absorbere. See Absorb.]
1. The act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything, or of being absorbed and made to disappear; as,
the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool, the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger.
2. (Chem. & Physics) An imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action; as, the absorption of
light, heat, electricity, etc.
3. (Physiol.) In living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed
and conveyed to the tissues and organs.
4. Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as, absorption in some employment.
Absorptive
(Ab*sorp"tive) a. Having power, capacity, or tendency to absorb or imbibe. E. Darwin.
Absorptiveness
(Ab*sorp"tive*ness), n. The quality of being absorptive; absorptive power.
Absorptivity
(Ab`sorp*tiv"i*ty) n. Absorptiveness.
Absquatulate
(Ab*squat"u*late) v. i. To take one's self off; to decamp. [A jocular word. U. S.]
Absque hoc
(||Abs"que hoc) [L., without this.] (Law) The technical words of denial used in traversing
what has been alleged, and is repeated.
Abstain
(Ab*stain") v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abstained ; p. pr. & vb. n. Abstaining.] [OE. absteynen,
abstenen, OF. astenir, abstenir, F. abstenir, fr. L. abstinere, abstentum, v. t. & v. i., to keep from;
ab, abs + tenere to hold. See Tenable.] To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily, and
especially from an indulgence of the passions or appetites; — with from.
Not a few abstained from voting.
Macaulay.
Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?
Shak.
Syn. — To refrain; forbear; withhold; deny one's self; give up; relinquish.
Abstain
(Ab*stain"), v. t. To hinder; to withhold.
Whether he abstain men from marrying.
Milton.
