absorption : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: absorption	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for absorption
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
absorption n (chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid Synonym(s): absorption, soaking up (physics) the process in which incident radiated energy is retained without reflection or transmission on passing through a medium; "the absorption of photons by atoms or molecules" the social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another Synonym(s): assimilation, absorption the process of absorbing nutrients into the body after digestion Synonym(s): assimilation, absorption complete attention; intense mental effort Synonym(s): concentration, engrossment, absorption, immersion the mental state of being preoccupied by something Synonym(s): preoccupation, preoccupancy, absorption, engrossment
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Absorption \Absorp"tion\, n. [L. absorptio, fr. absorbere. See {Absorb}.] 1. The act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything, or of being absorbed and made to disappear; as, the absorption* of bodies in a whirlpool, the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger. 2. (Chem. & Physics) An imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action; as, the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc. 3. (Physiol.) In living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs. 4. Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as, absorption in some employment.