(transitive, obsolete) To engulf, as in water; to swallow up. [Attested from the late 15th century until the late 18th century.]
(transitive) To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe, like a sponge or as the lacteals of the body; to chemically take in. [First attested in the early 17th century.]
(physics) To take in energy and convert it, as[First attested in the early 18th century.]
(physics) in receiving a physical impact or vibration without recoil.
(physics) in receiving sound energy without repercussion or echo.
(physics) taking in radiant energy and converting it to a different form of energy, like heat.
(transitive) To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully[First attested in the late 18th century.]
(transitive) To occupy or consume time. [First attested in the mid 19th century.]
(transitive) Assimilate mentally. [First attested in the late 19th century.]
