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

• sorbability noun
• sorbable adjective
• 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 sulphides this introduces react with water to produce sulphate mineral phases that are exceptionally good at sorbing technetium-99.

From BBC

Even if you breathe it in, it can’t sorb, react, or build-up inside of you, since the only process that has any effect on this element is Henry’s Law.

From Forbes

It also forms a strong sorrel cement when if contacted with brine, and sorbs plutonium really well.

From Forbes

Moreover, because both arsenate and DNA are negatively charged molecules, there should be little As sorbed to the DNA pellet after the purification process.

From Science Magazine

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 Project Gutenberg