The work begun, how soon absolved.
Milton.
4. To resolve or explain. [Obs.] "We shall not absolve the doubt." Sir T. Browne.
Syn. -- To Absolve, Exonerate, Acquit. We speak of a man as absolved from something that binds his conscience, or involves the charge of wrongdoing; as, to absolve from allegiance or from the obligation of an oath, or a promise. We speak of a person as exonerated, when he is released from some burden which had rested upon him; as, to exonerate from suspicion, to exonerate from blame or odium. It implies a purely moral acquittal. We speak of a person as acquitted, when a decision has been made in his favor with reference to a specific charge, either by a jury or by disinterested persons; as, he was acquitted of all participation in the crime.
Ab*solv"ent (&?;), a. [L. absolvens, p. pr. of absolvere.] Absolving. [R.] Carlyle.
Ab*solv"ent, n. An absolver. [R.] Hobbes.
Ab*solv"er (&?;), n. One who absolves. Macaulay.
Ab"so*nant (&?;), a. [L. ab + sonans, p. pr. of sonare to sound.] Discordant; contrary; -- opposed to consonant. "Absonant to nature." Quarles.
Ab"so*nous (&?;), a. [L. absonus; ab + sonus sound.] Discordant; inharmonious; incongruous. [Obs.] "Absonous to our reason." Glanvill.
Ab*sorb" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Absorbed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Absorbing.] [L. absorbere; ab + sorbere to suck in, akin to Gr. &?;: 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.
The large cities absorb the wealth and fashion.
W. Irving.
2. To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the lacteals of the body. Bacon.
3. To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed in study or the pursuit of wealth.
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. p. 8
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.
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That grave question which had begun to absorb the Christian mind -- 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.
Ab*sorb`a*bil"i*ty (&?;), n. The state or quality of being absorbable. Graham (Chemistry).
Ab*sorb"a*ble, a. [Cf. F. absorbable.] Capable of being absorbed or swallowed up. Kerr.
Ab*sorb"ed*ly, adv. In a manner as if wholly engrossed or engaged.
Ab*sorb"en*cy (&?;), n. Absorptiveness.
Ab*sorb"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.
Ab*sorb"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.
Ab*sorb"er (&?;), n. One who, or that which, absorbs.
Ab*sorb"ing, a. Swallowing, engrossing; as, an absorbing pursuit. -- Ab*sorb"ing, adv.