Definition of Absorbent

1. Noun. A material having capacity or tendency to absorb another substance.

Exact synonyms: Absorbent Material
Generic synonyms: Sorbent, Sorbent Material
Specialized synonyms: Sponge, Absorber, Absorbent Cotton
Derivative terms: Absorb

2. Adjective. Having power or capacity or tendency to absorb or soak up something (liquids or energy etc.). "As absorbent as a sponge"

Definition of Absorbent

1. a. Absorbing; swallowing; absorptive.

2. n. Anything which absorbs.

Definition of Absorbent

1. Adjective. Having the ability or tendency to absorb. ¹

2. Noun. Anything which absorbs. ¹

3. Noun. (context: medicine) Any substance which absorbs and neutralizes acid fluid in the stomach and bowels, as magnesia, chalk, etc.; also a substance, e.g., iodine, which acts on the absorbent vessels so as to reduce enlarged and indurated parts. ¹

4. Noun. (context: physiology pluralized) The vessels by which the processes of absorption are carried on, as the lymphatics in animals, the extremities of the roots in plants. ¹

5. Noun. (context: chemistry) A liquid used in the process of separating gases or volatile liquids, in oil refining. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Absorbent

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Absorbent

1. 1. Anything which absorbs. "The ocean, itself a bad absorbent of heat." (Darwin) 2. Any substance which absorbs and neutralizes acid fluid in the stomach and bowels, as magnesia, chalk, etc.; also a substance e. G, iodine) which acts on the absorbent vessels so as to reduce enlarged and indurated parts. 3. The vessels by which the processes of absorption are carried on, as the lymphatics in animals, the extremities of the roots in plants. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Absorbent

absorbancies
absorbancy
absorbancy index
absorbant
absorbants
absorbate
absorbates
absorbed
absorbed dose
absorbed doses
absorbedly
absorbedness
absorbefacient
absorbencies
absorbency
absorbent (current term)
absorbent cotton
absorbent material
absorbent paper
absorbent papers
absorbent points
absorbent system
absorbent vessels
absorbently
absorbents
absorber
absorber head
absorberman
absorbermen
absorbers

Literary usage of Absorbent

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. American Druggist (1887)
"A. good absorbent gauze usually retains, after strong pressure, li times its own weight of ... Hence 1000 parts of absorbent gauze, after being soaked in a ..."

2. Principles of Physics, Or Natural Philosophy: Designed for the Use of by Benjamin Silliman (1871)
"That bodies agree very nearly, but not exactly, in their emitting «ml absorbent powers. 2. That their absorbent power varies very remarkably with the origin ..."

3. Appletons' Annual Cyclopædia and Register of Important Events of the Year (1886)
"The following analyses give the composition of several dynamite powders in which gunpowder is the absorbent : Similar to the foregoing are the giant powder, ..."

4. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1907)
"Calcium as an absorbent of Gases for the Production of High Vacua and ... Practical Considerations in the Use of Calcium as an absorbent for the Production ..."

5. The Morbid Anatomy of Some of the Most Important Parts of the Human Body by Matthew Baillie (1833)
"OF THE absorbent GLANDS. detected in the neighbouring parts, capable of accounting for this appearance. There was no obstruction at the entrance of the ..."

6. The Retrospect of Medicine by William Braithwaite (1884)
"Its absorbent power is very great, and it has the additional advantage of keeping up an equable pressure on the divided tissues. I find that fourteen ounces ..."

7. Nostrums and Quackery: Articles on the Nostrum Evil and Quackery Reprinted by American Medical Association (1912)
"THE TOXO-absorbent CANCER CURE The Toxo-absorbent Company, a "cancer cure" concern that has been declared fraudulent by the Postoffice authorities, ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Absorbent on Dictionary.com!Search for Absorbent on Thesaurus.com!Search for Absorbent on Google!Search for Absorbent on Wikipedia!

Search

Translations