absorbent

[ ab-sawr-buh nt, -zawr- ]
/ æbˈsɔr bənt, -ˈzɔr- /

adjective

capable of absorbing heat, light, moisture, etc.; tending to absorb.

noun

something that absorbs: Tons of high-powered absorbents were needed to clean up the oil spill.

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Origin of absorbent

First recorded in 1710–20, absorbent is from the Latin word absorbent- (stem of absorbēns, present participle of absorbēre). See absorb, -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM absorbent

Words nearby absorbent

absorbable suture, absorbance, absorbed, absorbed dose, absorbefacient, absorbent, absorbent cotton, absorbent vessel, absorber, absorbing, absorbing well
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for absorbency

British Dictionary definitions for absorbency

absorbent
/ (əbˈsɔːbənt, -ˈzɔː-) /

adjective

able to absorb

noun

a substance that absorbs

Derived forms of absorbent

absorbency, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for absorbency

absorbent
[ əb-zôr′bənt ]

adj.

Capable of absorption; able to absorb.

Other words from absorbent

ab•sorb′ent n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.