1. Having the power to absorb, soak up, or take into itself a gas, liquid, light rays, or heat. SYN: absorptive, bibulous. 2. Any substance possessing such power. 3. Material (usually caustic) for removal of carbon dioxide from circuits in which rebreathing occurs; e.g., anesthesia and basal metabolism equipment.
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ab·sor·bent also ab·sor·bant -bənt adj able to absorb <\absorbent gauze>
absorbent also absorbant n
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ab·sor·bent (ab-sorґbənt) [ab- + sorbent] 1. able to take in, or suck up and incorporate. 2. a tissue structure involved in absorption. a substance that absorbs or promotes absorption.Medical dictionary. 2011.