Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AB-SORB', v.t. [L. absorbeo, ab and sorbeo, to drink in; Ar. شَرَبَ sharaba; Eth. ሰረበ or ሠረበ id.; Rab. שרף, sharap, to draw or drink in; whence sirup, sherbet, shrub.]

1. To drink in; to suck up; to imbibe; as a spurge, or as the lacteals of the body.
2. To drink in, swallow up, or overwhelm with water, as a body in a whirlpool.
3. To waste wholly or sink in expenses; to exhaust; as, to absorb an estate in luxury.
4. To engross or engage wholly; as, absorbed in study or the pursuit of wealth.