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• sorb
  sorb

  noun

  a European tree, Sorbus domestica.
• Sorb
  Sorb

  noun

  a Wend.

sorb

¹ American  

[sawrb] / sɔrb /

noun

1. a European tree, Sorbus domestica.

2. Also called sorb apple.  the fruit of this tree.

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sorb ² American  

[sawrb] / sɔrb /

verb (used with object)

Chemistry.

1. to gather on a surface either by absorption, adsorption, or a combination of the two processes.

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Sorb ³ American  

[sawrb] / sɔrb /

noun

1. a Wend.

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sorb ¹ British  

/ sɔːb /

noun

1. another name for service tree

2. any of various related trees, esp the mountain ash

3. Also called: sorb apple.  the fruit of any of these trees

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Sorb ² British  

/ sɔːb /

noun

1. Also called: Wend.   Lusatian.  a member of a Slavonic people living chiefly in the rural areas of E Germany between the upper reaches of the Oder and Elbe rivers (Lusatia)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sorbable
  adjective
• sorbability
  noun
• sorbic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sorb¹

1520–30; < Latin sorbum serviceberry and sorbus service tree

Origin of sorb²

1905–10; extracted from absorb and adsorb

Origin of Sorb³

1835–45; < German Sorbe ≪ Lusatian serbje, serbjo

Example Sentences

The decline probably resulted from the inability of a depressed market to ab sorb a sizable block of the stock.

From Time Magazine Archive

Maskull lingered no longer, but permitted Spadevil to cover his sorb.

From A Voyage to Arcturus by Lindsay, David

Suddenly she darted all her will into her sorb.

From A Voyage to Arcturus by Lindsay, David

When he realised with whom he had to deal, Crimtyphon left off smiling, slipped off the couch, and threw a terrible and malignant glare into his sorb.

From A Voyage to Arcturus by Lindsay, David

In Iceland there was a pretty superstition to the effect that, when an innocent person was put to death, a sorb or mountain ash would spring over their grave.

From Byways of Ghost-Land by O'Donnell, Elliott