verb

• (transitive) To include so that it no longer has separate existence; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to incorporate; to assimilate; to take in and use up.
• (transitive, obsolete) To engulf, as in water; to swallow up.
• (transitive) To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe, like a sponge or as the lacteals of the body; to chemically take in.
• (intransitive) To be absorbed, or sucked in; to sink in.
• (transitive, physics, chemistry) To take in energy and convert it.
• (transitive, physics) in receiving a physical impact or vibration without recoil.
• (transitive, physics) in receiving sound energy without repercussion or echo.
• (transitive, 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.
• (transitive) To occupy or consume time.
• (transitive) To assimilate mentally.
• (transitive, business) To assume or pay for as part of a commercial transaction.
• (transitive) To defray the costs.
• (transitive) To accept or purchase in quantity.