absorb

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*srebʰ-“to sip”
2. Latin · derived fromabsorbeō“swallow up”
3. Old French · derived fromassorbir
4. Middle French · derived fromabsorber
5. English todayabsorb

From Middle French absorber, from Old French assorbir, from Latin absorbeō (“swallow up”), from ab- (“from”) + sorbeō (“suck in, swallow”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *srebʰ- (“to sip”). Compare French absorber.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• first attested c. 1350 to 1470. To include so that it no longer has separate existence; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to incorporate; to assimilate; to take in and use up.
• Attested from the late 15th century until the late 18th century. To engulf, as in water; to swallow up.
• first attested in the early 17th century. To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe, like a sponge or as the lacteals of the body; to chemically take in.
• first attested in the early 18th century. To take in energy and convert it.
• first attested in the early 18th century. in receiving a physical impact or vibration without recoil.
• first attested in the early 18th century. in receiving sound energy without repercussion or echo.
• first attested in the early 18th century. taking in radiant energy and converting it to a different form of energy, like heat.
• first attested in the late 18th century. To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully.