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absorption

ab·sorp·tion [ əb sáwrpsh'n, əb záwrpsh'n ]


noun 
Definition:
 
1. preoccupation: a state in which the whole attention is occupied

2. soaking up: the uptake of liquid into the fibers of a substance

3. incorporation: the incorporation of something into a larger group or entity

4. physiology assimilation by body: the passage of material through the lining of the intestine into the blood or through a cell membrane into a cell

5. physics ability of substance to absorb energy: the ability of a substance to absorb light, noise, or energy, or the fact that it does so

6. physics reduction in radiated energy: the reduction in the intensity of radiated energy within a medium, caused by converting some or all of the energy into another form

7. immunology removal of antibodies: the elimination of antibodies or antigens by the use of a chemical reagent

[Late 16th century. < Latin absorption-< absorptus, past participle of absorbere "swallow" (see absorb)]

ab·sorp·tive adjective
ab·sorp·tiv·i·ty [ əb sàwrp tívvətee, əb zàwrp tívvətee ] noun
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