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adsorb

[ad-sawrb, -zawrb]
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verb (used with object) Physical Chemistry.

to gather (a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance) on a surface in a condensed layer: Charcoal will adsorb gases.

Origin of adsorb

First recorded in 1880–85; ad- + (ab)sorb
Related formsad·sorb·a·ble, adjectivead·sorb·a·bil·i·ty, nounad·sorb·ent, adjective, nounad·sorp·tion [ad-sawrp-shuh n, -zawrp-] /ædˈsɔrp ʃən, -ˈzɔrp-/, nounad·sorp·tive, adjectivead·sorp·tive·ly, adverb
Can be confusedabsorb adsorb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for adsorption

Historical Examples of adsorption

  • The amount of adsorption depends also upon the exact nature of the sol.

    Animal Proteins

    Hugh Garner Bennett

  • Adsorption is often deliberately increased by a preparatory adsorption.

    Animal Proteins

    Hugh Garner Bennett

  • Like all electrolytes its presence decreases the adsorption of chromic acid.

    Animal Proteins

    Hugh Garner Bennett

  • The selective action is known as adsorption and is most noticeable in highly plastic clays.

  • These acids also probably cause increase of adsorption of tannin by the hide and therefore assist in giving "good weight."

    Animal Proteins

    Hugh Garner Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for adsorption

adsorb

verb

to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which a substance, usually a gas, accumulates on the surface of a solid forming a thin film, often only one molecule thickto adsorb hydrogen on nickel; oxygen adsorbs on tungsten Compare absorb (def. 8)
Derived Formsadsorbable, adjectiveadsorbability, nounadsorption, noun

Word Origin for adsorb

C19: ad- + -sorb as in absorb
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
Word Origin and History for adsorption

adsorb

v.

1882, transitive (intransitive use attested from 1919), back-formation from adsorption (1882), coined in German from ad- + -sorption, abstracted from absorption. See absorb. Related: Adsorbent; adsorption.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
adsorption in Medicine

adsorption

[ăd-zôrp′shən]

n.

The property of a solid or liquid to attract and hold to its surface a gas, liquid, solute, or suspension.

adsorb

[ăd-zôrb′]

v.

To take up by adsorption.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
adsorption in Science

adsorption

[ăd-sôrp′shən]

The process by which molecules of a substance, such as a gas or a liquid, collect on the surface of another substance, such as a solid. The molecules are attracted to the surface but do not enter the solid's minute spaces as in absorption. Some drinking water filters consist of carbon cartridges that adsorb contaminants. Compare absorption.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
adsorption in Culture

adsorption

The assimilation of a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance by the surface of a solid.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.