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absorption Definition

ab·sorp·tion (ab sôrp′s̸hən, -zôrp′-; -əb-)

noun

  1. an absorbing or being absorbed
  2. the fact or state of being much interested or engrossed
  3. Biol. the passing of nutrient material, medication, etc. into or through tissues, as the intestinal walls, the blood, etc.
  4. Physics
    1. a taking in and not reflecting, as of radiant energy
    2. partial loss in energy of light, radio waves, etc. passing through a medium

Etymology: L absorptio < absorbere: see absorb

absorption Related Forms

ab·sorp′·tive (-----tiv) adjective

absorption Synonyms

absorption

n.

  1. The process of absorbing or being absorbed

    assimilation, digestion, osmosis, saturation, conversion, impregnation, penetration, fusion, intake, union, engorgement, consumption, ingestion, blending, swallowing up, taking in, imbibing, reception, retention, incorporation, appropriation, merging, ingurgitation, engulfment, bibulation, drinking in, suction, sopping up, soaking up, drying up, blotting up, sponging up, inhalation.

    Antonyms removal*, ejection*, discharge. *

  2. Engrossment

    preoccupation, engrossment, immersion; see reflection 1.

absorption Telecom Definition

The irreversible conversion of some or all of the energy of an electromagnetic wave to another form of energy as a result of its encounter and interaction with matter through which it is propagating or upon which it is incident. Generally, the sum of the electromagnetic energy converts to thermal energy, i.e., heat, which transfers to the matter, and which results in some amount of signal attenuation. An electrical signal propagating through a copper conductor, for example, attenuates as some electromagnetic energy is converted to thermal energy due to the vibration of free electrons in the copper. Similarly, an optical signal propagating through a glass optical fiber (GOF) suffers some attenuation as the photons interact with the crystalline silicon dioxide and dopants that comprise the fiber and convert to thermal energy. Radio waves also suffer considerably from absorption, which in fact is used to advantage in microwave ovens. See also attenuation and propagation.

absorption Usage Examples

Converse of object

inhibit: The presence of food may enhance or inhibit the absorption of a drug.

Adjective modifier

  • intestinal: In addition, according to one recent study, tea may reduce the intestinal absorption of glucose.
  • systemic: Buccal and topical delivery of drugs for systemic absorption.
  • percutaneous: The percutaneous absorption of hydroquinone ( HQ ) through rat and human skin in-vitro.
  • interstellar: The sources exhibit a very wide range of spectral hardness, with interstellar absorption identified as a major influence.

Preposition: into

bloodstream: DGC requires no digestion prior to absorption into the bloodstream.

Modifies a noun

  • spectroscopy: The application of X-ray absorption spectroscopy to inorganic chemistry.
  • coefficient: Alternatively, the absorption coefficient maps can be calculated based on an adequate model of the sample.
  • spectra: The absorption spectra of pure samples of some of these pigments are shown in the graph on the left.
  • chiller: Use of the otherwise waste heat to produce hot water or power an absorption chiller raises the overall efficiency figure to around 80 % .
  • spectrophotometry: The composition of an artifact made of copper or bronze is usually examined by a technique known as atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Noun used with modifier

  • calcium: The formulation includes vitamin D to promote calcium absorption in the gut.
  • X-ray: X-ray absorption column plotted against galaxy axial ratio from Malizia et al.
  • purine: It was not possible to define a clear response curve of PD excretion to purine absorption from that data set.
  • moisture: The fat coats flour particles, and prevents moisture absorption which inhibits gluten formation.
  • shock: Features High density ' rebound ' fabric assists in shock absorption.
  • phosphorus: It is also required for calcium and phosphorus absorption and utilization.

Preposition: of

  • calcium: The lactic acid also helps in the absorption of calcium.
  • nutrient: All too often the drug either stops the absorption of nutrients or interferes with the cells ' ability to use them.
  • photon: We discovered that the absorption of a single photon could produce two or even three excited electrons.