ab|sinthe /æ bs I nθ/ N‑UNCOUNT Absinthe is a very strong alcoholic drink that is green and tastes bitter.
ab|so|lute ◆◇◇ /æ bsəluːt/ (absolutes )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Absolute means total and complete. □ It's not really suited to absolute beginners. □ A sick person needs absolute confidence and trust in a doctor.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use absolute to emphasize something that you are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ About 12 inches wide is the absolute minimum you should consider. □ I think it's absolute nonsense.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] An absolute ruler has complete power and authority over his or her country. □ He ruled with absolute power.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Absolute is used to say that something is definite and will not change even if circumstances change. □ They had given an absolute assurance that it would be kept secret.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] An amount that is expressed in absolute terms is expressed as a fixed amount rather than referring to variable factors such as what you earn or the effects of inflation. □ In absolute terms British wages remain low by European standards.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Absolute rules and principles are believed to be true, right, or relevant in all situations. □ There are no absolute rules.
7 N‑COUNT An absolute is a rule or principle that is believed to be true, right, or relevant in all situations.
8 → see also decree absolute SYNONYMS absolute ADJ 1
complete: It shows a complete lack of understanding by management.
totaclass="underline" There was an almost total lack of management control.
sheer: His music is sheer delight.
unalloyed: …an occasion of unalloyed joy.
ab|so|lute|ly ◆◆◇ /æ bsəluː tli/
1 ADV [usu ADV adj/adv, oft ADV with v] Absolutely means totally and completely. [EMPHASIS ] □ Jill is absolutely right. □ I absolutely refuse to get married. □ There is absolutely no difference!
2 ADV Some people say absolutely as an emphatic way of saying yes or of agreeing with someone. They say absolutely not as an emphatic way of saying no or of disagreeing with someone. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'It's worrying, isn't it?'—'Absolutely.' SYNONYMS absolutely ADV 1
completely: Dozens of flats had been completely destroyed.
totally: Young people want something totally different from the old ways.
fully: I don't fully agree with that.
wholly: For urban areas this approach was wholly inadequate.
utterly: Such an allegation is utterly without foundation.
a b|so|lute ma|jo r|ity (absolute majorities ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If a political party wins an absolute majority , they obtain more seats or votes than the total number of seats or votes gained by their opponents in an election.
a b|so|lute ze ro N‑UNCOUNT Absolute zero is a theoretical temperature that is thought to be the lowest possible temperature.
ab|so|lu|tion /æ bsəluː ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone is given absolution , they are forgiven for something wrong that they have done. [FORMAL ] □ She felt as if his words had granted her absolution.
ab|so|lut|ism /æ bsəluː t I zəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Absolutism is a political system in which one ruler or leader has complete power and authority over a country. □ …royal absolutism.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to someone's beliefs as absolutism if they think that their beliefs are true, right, or relevant in all situations, especially if you think they are wrong to behave in this way. [DISAPPROVAL ] ● ab|so|lut|ist ADJ □ This absolutist belief is replaced by an appreciation that rules can vary.
ab|solve /æbzɒ lv/ (absolves , absolving , absolved ) VERB If a report or investigation absolves someone from blame or responsibility, it formally states that he or she is not guilty or is not to blame. □ [V n + of/from ] A police investigation yesterday absolved the police of all blame in the incident. □ [V n] …the inquiry which absolved the soldiers.
ab|sorb /əbzɔː r b/ (absorbs , absorbing , absorbed )
1 VERB If something absorbs a liquid, gas, or other substance, it soaks it up or takes it in. □ [V n] Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and moisture from the soil. □ [be V -ed + into ] Refined sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly.
2 VERB If something absorbs light, heat, or another form of energy, it takes it in. □ [V n] The dark material absorbs light and warms up.
3 VERB If a group is absorbed into a larger group, it becomes part of the larger group. □ [be V -ed + into ] The Colonial Office was absorbed into the Foreign Office. □ [V n] …an economy capable of absorbing thousands of immigrants.
4 VERB If something absorbs a force or shock, it reduces its effect. □ [V n] …footwear which does not absorb the impact of the foot striking the ground.
5 VERB If a system or society absorbs changes, effects, or costs, it is able to deal with them. □ [V n] The banks would be forced to absorb large losses.
6 VERB If something absorbs something valuable such as money, space, or time, it uses up a great deal of it. □ [V n] It absorbed vast amounts of capital that could have been used for investment.