7 VERB If you absorb information, you learn and understand it. □ [V n] Too often he only absorbs half the information in the manual.
8 VERB If something absorbs you, it interests you a great deal and takes up all your attention and energy. □ [V n] …a second career which absorbed her more completely than her acting ever had.
9 → see also absorbed , absorbing
ab|sorbed /əbzɔː r bd/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are absorbed in something or someone, you are very interested in them and they take up all your attention and energy. □ [+ in/by ] They were completely absorbed in each other.
ab|sor|bent /əbzɔː r bənt/ ADJ Absorbent material soaks up liquid easily. □ The towels are highly absorbent.
ab|sorb|er /əbzɔː r bə r / → see shock absorber
ab|sorb|ing /əbzɔː r b I ŋ/ ADJ An absorbing task or activity interests you a great deal and takes up all your attention and energy. □ 'Two Sisters' is an absorbing read.
ab|sorp|tion /əbzɔː r pʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The absorption of a liquid, gas, or other substance is the process of it being soaked up or taken in. □ [+ of ] Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron from food.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The absorption of a group into a larger group is the process of it becoming part of the larger group.
ab|stain /æbste I n/ (abstains , abstaining , abstained )
1 VERB If you abstain from something, usually something you want to do, you deliberately do not do it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + from ] Abstain from sex or use condoms. □ [V ] Do you drink alcohol, smoke, or abstain?
2 VERB If you abstain during a vote, you do not use your vote. □ [V ] Three Conservative MPs abstained in the vote.
ab|ste|mi|ous /æbstiː miəs/ ADJ Someone who is abstemious avoids doing too much of something enjoyable such as eating or drinking. [FORMAL ]
ab|sten|tion /æbste nʃ ə n/ (abstentions ) N‑VAR Abstention is a formal act of not voting either for or against a proposal. □ …a vote of sixteen in favor, three against, and one abstention.
ab|sti|nence /æ bst I nəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Abstinence is the practice of abstaining from something such as alcoholic drink or sex, often for health or religious reasons. □ …six months of abstinence. □ [+ from ] …total abstinence from alcohol.
ab|stract /æ bstrækt/ (abstracts )
1 ADJ An abstract idea or way of thinking is based on general ideas rather than on real things and events. □ …abstract principles such as justice. □ It's not a question of some abstract concept. ● ab|stract|ly ADV □ It is hard to think abstractly in these conditions.
2 PHRASE When you talk or think about something in the abstract , you talk or think about it in a general way, rather than considering particular things or events. □ Money was a commodity she never thought about except in the abstract.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, an abstract noun refers to a quality or idea rather than to a physical object. □ …abstract words such as glory, honor, and courage.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Abstract art makes use of shapes and patterns rather than showing people or things. □ …a modern abstract painting.
5 N‑COUNT An abstract is an abstract work of art.
6 N‑COUNT An abstract of an article, document, or speech is a short piece of writing that gives the main points of it.
ab|stract|ed /æbstræ kt I d/ ADJ Someone who is abstracted is thinking so deeply that they are not fully aware of what is happening around them. [WRITTEN ] □ The same abstracted look was still on his face. ● ab|stract|ed|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She nodded abstractedly.
ab|strac|tion /æbstræ kʃ ə n/ (abstractions ) N‑VAR An abstraction is a general idea rather than one relating to a particular object, person, or situation. [FORMAL ] □ Is it worth fighting a big war, in the name of an abstraction like sovereignty?
ab|struse /æbstruː s/ ADJ You can describe something as abstruse if you find it difficult to understand, especially when you think it could be explained more simply. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …fruitless discussions about abstruse resolutions.
ab|surd /æbsɜː r d/ ADJ If you say that something is absurd , you are criticizing it because you think that it is ridiculous or that it does not make sense. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is absurd to be discussing compulsory redundancy policies for teachers. □ I've known clients of mine go to absurd lengths, just to avoid paying me a few pounds. ● N‑SING The absurd is something that is absurd. [FORMAL ] □ Parkinson had a sharp eye for the absurd. ● ab|surd|ly ADV □ Prices were still absurdly low, in his opinion. ● ab|surd|ity /æbsɜː r d I ti/ (absurdities ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] I find myself growing increasingly angry at the absurdity of the situation.
ab|surd|ist /æbsɜː r d I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An absurdist play or other work shows how absurd some aspect of society or human behaviour is.
abun|dance /əbʌ ndəns/ N‑SING [with sing or pl verb, oft in N ] An abundance of something is a large quantity of it. □ [+ of ] The area has an abundance of wildlife. □ Food was in abundance.
abun|dant /əbʌ ndənt/ ADJ Something that is abundant is present in large quantities. □ There is an abundant supply of cheap labour. □ Birds are abundant in the tall vegetation.