v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Absorbed p. pr. & vb. n. Absorbing. ] [ L. absorbere; ab + sorbere to suck in, akin to Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. absorber. ] 1. To swallow up; to engulf; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to use up; to include. “Dark oblivion soon absorbs them all.” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

The large cities absorb the wealth and fashion. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the lacteals of the body. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed in study or the pursuit of wealth. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To take up by cohesive, chemical, or any molecular action, as when charcoal absorbs gases. So heat, light, and electricity are absorbed or taken up in the substances into which they pass. Nichol. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

That grave question which had begun to absorb the Christian mind -- the marriage of the clergy. Milman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Too long hath love engrossed Britannia's stage,
And sunk to softness all our tragic rage. Tickell. [ 1913 Webster ]

Should not the sad occasion swallow up
My other cares? Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

And in destruction's river
Engulf and swallow those. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being absorbable. Graham (Chemistry). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. absorbable. ] Capable of being absorbed or swallowed up. Kerr. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. 1 wholly absorbed as in thought that engrossed look -- that absorbed and rapt delight
Syn. -- engrossed, intent, rapt, wrapped [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. not allowed to pass through; -- said of radiant waves such as light the absorbed light intensity [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. taken in through the pores of a surface the absorbed water expanded the sponge [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adv. In a manner as if wholly engrossed or engaged. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. 1 inducing or promoting absorption
Syn. -- sorbefacient [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Absorptiveness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Anything which absorbs. AS [ 1913 Webster ]

The ocean, itself a bad absorbent of heat. Darwin. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. AS [ 1913 Webster ]

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. AS [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. absorbens, p. pr. of absorbere. ] Absorbing; swallowing; absorptive. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, absorbs. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Swallowing, engrossing; as, an absorbing pursuit. -- Ab*sorb"ing, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. Absorption. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. to attract and bind (molecules of a substance in a fluid) so as to form a thin layer on the surface, by non-electrostatic forces; to bind by adsorption. Distinguished from absorb, in which the foreign substance penetrates the body of the absorbing material.
Syn. -- surface assimilation [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. & n. (Anat.) Same as Antorbital. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Med.) Counteracting scurvy. -- n. A remedy for scurvy. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Med.) Antiscorbutic. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. anti- + orbital. ] (Anat.) Pertaining to, or situated in, the region of the front of the orbit. -- n. The antorbital bone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. borborygme, fr. Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to rumble in the bowels. ] (Med.) A rumbling or gurgling noise produced by wind in the bowels. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. corbis basket. Cf. Corbeil, Corp. ] 1. A basket used in coal mines, etc. see Corf. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arch.) An ornament in a building; a corbel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Heb. qorbān, akin to Ar. qurbān. ] 1. (Jewish Antiq.) An offering of any kind, devoted to God and therefore not to be appropriated to any other use; esp., an offering in fulfillment of a vow. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the old Testament the hebrew word is usually translated “oblation” as in Numb. xviii. 9, xxxi. 50. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The traditionists laid down that a man might interdict himself by vow, not only from using for himself, but from giving to another, or receiving from him, some particular object, whether of food or any other kind. A person might thus exempt himself from assisting parents in distress, under plea of corban. Dr. W. Smith. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An alms basket; a vessel to receive gifts of charity; a treasury of the church, where offerings are deposited. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. corbe, fr. L. curvus. See Cuve. ] Crooked. [ Obs. ] “Corbe shoulder.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. corbeille, fr. L. corbicula a little basket, dim. of corbis basket. Cf. Corbel, Corb, Corvette. ] 1. (Arch.) A sculptured basket of flowers; a corbel. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. (Fort.) Small gabions. Brande & C. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. corbeau, for older corbel, dim. of L. corbis basket. (Corbels were often in the form of a basket.) See Corbeil. ] (Arch.) A bracket supporting a superincumbent object, or receiving the spring of an arch. Corbels were employed largely in Gothic architecture. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ A common form of corbel consists of courses of stones or bricks, each projecting slightly beyond the next below it. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To furnish with a corbel or corbels; to support by a corbel; to make in the form of a corbel. [ 1913 Webster ]

To corbel out, to furnish with a corbel of courses, each projecting beyond the one next below it. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ }, n. Corbel work or the construction of corbels; a series of corbels or piece of continuous corbeled masonry, sometimes of decorative purpose, as in the stalactite ornament of the Moslems. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. (Arch.) A horizontal row of corbels, with the panels or filling between them; also, less properly used to include the stringcourse on them. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Arch.) One of the steps in which a gable wall is often finished in place of a continuous slope; -- also called crowstep. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ or } n.; pl. Corbies [ F. corbeau, OF. corbel, dim. fr. L. corvus raven. ] 1. (Zool.) The raven. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (her.) A raven, crow, or chough, used as a charge. [ 1913 Webster ]

Corbie crow, the carrion crow. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Pref. dis- + orb. ] To throw out of the proper orbit; to unsphere. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a bell or other sounding device, actuated by a push button at an outer door; the push button activating the bell; alos, the ringing of such a bell; as, I was in the shower and didn't hear the doorbell.
Syn. -- bell, buzzer. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. (Zool.) See 1st Dor. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. capable of absorbing energy; as, energy-absorbing bumpers reduce injury and damage in vehicle collisions. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. L. euphorbea. See Euphorrium. ] (Bot.) Spurge, or bastard spurge, a genus of plants of many species, mostly shrubby, herbaceous succulents, affording an acrid, milky juice. Some of them are armed with thorns. Most of them yield powerful emetic and cathartic products.

{ } a. (Bot.) Of, relating to, or resembling, the Euphorbia family.

{ } n. (Med.) A principle, or mixture of principles, derived from various species of Euphorbia. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL., fr. L. euphorbeum, from Gr. &unr_;; -- so called after Euphorbus, a Greek physician. ] (Med.) An inodorous exudation, usually in the form of yellow tears, produced chiefly by the African Euphorbia resinifera. It was formerly employed medicinally, but was found so violent in its effects that its use is nearly abandoned. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ }, n. A going out of or beyond the usual or due limit; hence, enormity; extravagance; gross deviation from rule, right, or propriety; as, the exorbitances of the tongue or of deportment; exorbitance of demands. “A curb to your exorbitancies.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

The lamentable exorbitances of their superstitions. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. exorbitans, -antis, p. pr. of exorbitare to go out of the track; ex out + orbita track: cf. F. exorbitant. See Orbit. ] 1. Departing from an orbit or usual track; hence, deviating from the usual or due course; going beyond the appointed rules or established limits of right or propriety; excessive; extravagant; enormous; inordinate; as, exorbitant appetites and passions; exorbitant charges, demands, or claims. [ 1913 Webster ]

Foul exorbitant desires. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not comprehended in a settled rule or method; anomalous. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Jews . . . [ were ] inured with causes exorbitant, and such as their laws had not provided for. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an exorbitant, excessive, or irregular manner; enormously. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ L.exorbitatus, p. p. of exorbitare. See Exorbitant. ] To go out of the track; to deviate. [ Obs. ] Bentley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a board in the floor.
Syn. -- floor board. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. the floor of an automobile. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

imp. of Forbid. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To bathe. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Fore, and Bear to produce. ] An ancestor; a forefather; -- usually in the plural. [ Scot. ] [ Also spelled forebear. ] “Your forbears of old.” Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. Forbore Forbare [ Obs. ]); p. p. Forborne p. pr. & vb. n. Forbearing. ] [ OE. forberen, AS. forberan; pref. for- + beran to bear. See Bear to support. ] 1. To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? 1 Kings xxii. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To refuse; to decline; to give no heed. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Ezek. ii. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To control one's self when provoked. [ 1913 Webster ]

The kindest and the happiest pair
Will find occasion to forbear. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Both bear and forbear. Old Proverb. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from; to give up; as, to forbear the use of a word of doubtful propriety. [ 1913 Webster ]

But let me that plunder forbear. Shenstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

The King
In open battle or the tilting field
Forbore his own advantage. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To treat with consideration or indulgence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Forbearing one another in love. Eph. iv. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To cease from bearing. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Whenas my womb her burden would forbear. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of forbearing or waiting; the exercise of patience. [ 1913 Webster ]

He soon shall find
Forbearance no acquittance ere day end. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The quality of being forbearing; indulgence toward offenders or enemies; long-suffering. [ 1913 Webster ]

Have a continent forbearance, till the speed of his rage goes slower. Shak.

Syn. -- Abstinence; refraining; lenity; mildness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Forbearing. [ R. ] Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who forbears. Tusser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Disposed or accustomed to forbear; patient; long-suffering. -- For*bear"ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]