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to sorb

to sorb

9.5
To take in and hold a liquid or gas
  • verb
  • /sɔrb/
  • Specialized
translation icon : absorber
  • Activated charcoal can sorb toxic gases from the air.

Examples

  • The sponge sorbs water quickly.

  • How much liquid can this material sorb?

  • Scientists measured how quickly the compound would sorb carbon dioxide.

  • This material efficiently sorb both water and oil spills.

  • Activated charcoal can sorb harmful chemicals from the water.

  • This new fabric can sorb moisture effectively during workouts.

  • Certain plants are known to sorb pollutants from the soil.

Synonyms

to take up
vsto sorb
7 3.2

To soak up liquid or learn and keep new information

specifies holding by surface or internal processes rather than general uptake
to adsorb
vsto sorb
  • Specialized
1 9.1

To hold liquids or gases on the surface of a solid

includes that surface holding and also uptake into the interior

Antonyms

446 2.7

To allow a liquid, gas, or energy to flow out

34 5.0

Push out a substance, for example gas from a body or container

Compounds

A medium-sized European tree that makes small fruit you can eat

9.9

A medium-sized tree from Europe that produces small edible fruit

9.9

A small tart fruit from Europe with a gritty texture

How Much

to saturate
55 5.2
to sorb
  • Specialized
9.5
to absorb
217 3.0
to take up
7 3.2

Surface Forms

sorb infinitive
sorbed past
sorbed past participle
sorbing present participle
sorbs third person singular

Etymology

The verb sorb comes from the old Latin sorbere, which meant 'to suck in', and it shares its idea with the familiar word absorb, so to sorb something is to take up and hold a liquid or gas.