To take in a liquid, gas, or information so that it becomes part of something; or to completely hold someone’s attention.
From Latin *absorbere* meaning “to swallow up,” from *ab-* “away” and *sorbere* “to suck in, sip.” It entered English through French and scientific Latin.
A sponge absorbing water and a mind absorbing ideas are the same picture: something taking in and holding onto something else. The word shows how physical images help us talk about mental activities too.
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