Syn. Ð To Absorb, Engross, Swallow up, Engulf. These words agree in one general idea, that of completely taking up. They are chiefly used in a figurative sense and may be distinguished by a reference to their etymology. We speak of a person as absorbed (lit., drawn in, swallowed up) in study or some other employment of the highest interest. We speak of a person as ebgrossed (lit., seized upon in the gross, or wholly) by something which occupies his whole time and thoughts, as the acquisition of wealth, or the attainment of honor. We speak of a person (under a stronger image) as swallowed up and lost in that which completely occupies his thoughts and feelings, as in grief at the death of a friend, or in the multiplied cares of life. We speak of a person as engulfed in that which (like a gulf) takes in all his hopes and interests; as, engulfed in misery, ruin, etc. That grave question which had begun to absorb the Christian mind Ð the marriage of the clergy. Milman. Too long hath love engrossed Britannia's stage, And sunk to softness all our tragic rage. Tickell. Should not the sad occasion swallow up My other cares? Addison. And in destruction's river Engulf and swallow those. Sir P. Sidney. AbÏsorb·aÏbil¶iÏty (#), n. The state or quality of being absorbable. Graham (Chemistry). AbÏsorb¶aÏble, a. [Cf. F. absorbable.] Capable of being absorbed or swallowed up. Kerr. AbÏsorb¶edÏly, adv. In a manner as if wholly engrossed or engaged. AbÏsorb¶enÏcy (#), n. Absorptiveness. AbÏsorb¶ent (#), a. [L. absorbens, p. pr. of absorbere.] Absorbing; swallowing; absorptive. Absorbent ground (Paint.), a ground prepared for a picture, chiefly with distemper, or water colors, by which the oil is absorbed, and a brilliancy is imparted to the colors. AbÏsorb¶ent, n. 1. Anything which absorbs. The ocean, itself a bad absorbent of heat. Darwin. 2. (Med.) 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. pl. (Physiol.) The vessels by which the processes of absorption are carried on, as the lymphatics in animals, the extremities of the roots in plants. AbÏsorb¶er (#), n. One who, or that which, absorbs. AbÏsorb¶ing, a. Swallowing, engrossing; as, an absorbing pursuit. Ð AbÏsorb¶ing, adv. Ab·sorÏbi¶tion (#), n. Absorption. [Obs.] AbÏsorpt· (#), a. [L. absorptus, p. p.] Absorbed. [Archaic] ½Absorpt in care.¸ Pope. AbÏsorp¶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. AbÏsorp¶tive (#), a. Having power, capacity, or tendency to absorb or imbibe. E. Darwin. AbÏsorp¶tiveÏness, n. The quality of being absorptive; absorptive power. Ab·sorpÏtiv¶iÏty (#), n. Absorptiveness. AbÏsquat¶uÏlate (#), v. i. To take one's self off; to decamp. [A jocular word. U. S.] Ø Abs¶que hoc (#). [L., without this.] (Law) The technical words of denial used in traversing what has been alleged, and is repeated. AbÏstain¶ (#), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abstained (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Abstaining.] [OE. absteynen, abstenen, OF. astenir, abstenir, F. abstenir, fr. L. abstinere, abstentum, v. t. & v. i., to keep from; ab, abs + tenere to hold. See Tenable.] To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily, and especially from an indulgence of the passions or appetites; Ð with from. Not a few abstained from voting. Macaulay. Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? Shak. Syn. Ð To refrain; forbear; withhold; deny one's self; give up; relinquish. AbÏstain¶, v. t. To hinder; to withhold. Whether he abstain men from marrying. Milton. AbÏstain¶er (#), n. One who abstains; esp., one who abstains from the use of intoxicating liquors. AbÏste¶miÏous (#), a. [L. abstemius; ab, abs + root of temetum intoxicating drink.] 1. Abstaining from wine. [Orig. Latin sense.] Under his special eye Abstemious I grew up and thrived amain. Milton. 2. Sparing in diet; refraining from a free use of food and strong drinks; temperate; abstinent; sparing in the indulgence of the appetite or passions. Instances of longevity are chiefly among the abstemious. Arbuthnot. 3. Sparingly used; used with temperance or moderation; as, an abstemious diet.