absorption

Noun

1. The act or process of absorbing or of being absorbed as,
   • The sponge showed remarkable absorption of water.
   • Plants rely on the absorption of sunlight for photosynthesis.
   • His complete absorption in the novel made him lose track of time.

   1. (obsolete) engulfing; swallowing up, as of bodies or land.

   2. assimilation; incorporation.

      • the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger
      • the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool

   3. (physical chemistry, physics) the imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action, of radiant energy; the process of being neutrons being absorbed by the nucleus; interception.

      • the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc.

   4. (meteorology) The process in which incident radiant energy is retained by a substance (such as an air mass) by conversion to some other form of energy (such as heat).

   5. (physiology) in living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs; taking in by various means, such as by osmosis.

2. Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind.
   • absorption in some employment
   • A complete absorption testified their breathless interest. - 1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:
3. Mental assimilation.
4. The retaining of electrical energy for a short time after it has been introduced to the dielectric.