Absorbing

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Absorb \Ab*sorb"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Absorbed}; p. pr. & vb.
     n. {Absorbing}.] [L. absorbere; ab + sorbere to suck in, akin
     to Gr. ?: cf. F. absorber.]
     1. To swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to
        disappear as if by swallowing up; to use up; to include.
        "Dark oblivion soon absorbs them all." --Cowper.


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              The large cities absorb the wealth and fashion. --W.
                                                    Irving.
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     2. To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the
        lacteals of the body. --Bacon.
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     3. To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed
        in study or the pursuit of wealth.
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     4. To take up by cohesive, chemical, or any molecular action,
        as when charcoal absorbs gases. So heat, light, and
        electricity are absorbed or taken up in the substances
        into which they pass. --Nichol.
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     Syn: To {Absorb}, {Engross}, {Swallow up}, {Engulf}.
  
     Usage: These words agree in one general idea, that of
            completely taking up. They are chiefly used in a
            figurative sense and may be distinguished by a
            reference to their etymology. We speak of a person as
            absorbed (lit., drawn in, swallowed up) in study or
            some other employment of the highest interest. We
            speak of a person as ebgrossed (lit., seized upon in
            the gross, or wholly) by something which occupies his
            whole time and thoughts, as the acquisition of wealth,
            or the attainment of honor. We speak of a person
            (under a stronger image) as swallowed up and lost in
            that which completely occupies his thoughts and
            feelings, as in grief at the death of a friend, or in
            the multiplied cares of life. We speak of a person as
            engulfed in that which (like a gulf) takes in all his
            hopes and interests; as, engulfed in misery, ruin,
            etc.
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                  That grave question which had begun to absorb
                  the Christian mind -- the marriage of the
                  clergy.                           --Milman.
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                  Too long hath love engrossed Britannia's stage,
                  And sunk to softness all our tragic rage.
                                                    --Tickell.
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                  Should not the sad occasion swallow up
                  My other cares?                   --Addison.
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                  And in destruction's river
                  Engulf and swallow those.         --Sir P.
                                                    Sidney.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Absorbing \Ab*sorb"ing\, a.
     Swallowing, engrossing; as, an absorbing pursuit. --
     {Ab*sorb"ing}, adv.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  absorbing
       adj : capable of arousing and holding the attention; "a
             fascinating story" [syn: {engrossing}, {fascinating}, {gripping},
              {riveting}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  34 Moby Thesaurus words for "absorbing":
     acute, arresting, attractive, captivating, consuming, deep,
     deep-felt, deepgoing, enchanting, engaging, engrossing,
     enthralling, fascinating, gripping, heartfelt, holding, homefelt,
     hypnotic, indelible, keen, magnetic, mesmeric, mesmerizing,
     monopolizing, obsessing, obsessive, penetrating, pervading,
     piercing, poignant, profound, riveting, sharp, spellbinding