absorbent

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European*h₂ep
2. Proto-Indo-European*h₂epó
3. Proto-Italic*ap
4. Latinab
5. Latinab-
6. Proto-Indo-European*srebʰ-
7. Proto-Indo-European*srobʰéyeti
8. Proto-Italic*sorβeō
9. Latinsorbeō
10. Latinabsorbeō
11. Latinabsorbēns
12. English todayabsorbent

From Latin absorbēns, present active participle of absorbeō (“absorb”). By surface analysis, absorb + -ent.

First known use, by meaning

• First attested in the early 18ᵗʰ century. Having the ability or tendency to absorb; able to soak up liquid easily; absorptive.
• First attested in the early 18ᵗʰ century. Anything which absorbs.
• First attested in the mid 18ᵗʰ century. The vessels by which the processes of absorption are carried on, as the lymphatics in animals, the extremities of the roots in plants.