verbverb
assorbire
absorb
Definition & meaning
Assorbire means to absorb. It can be used literally and figuratively:
- To soak up a liquid or take in a substance, light, heat or energy.
- To take in information or ideas and assimilate them.
- To occupy or consume time, energy or resources.
- To incorporate or take over something, such as a smaller company.
Grammar & Word origin
Assorbire is a regular -ire verb, usually used transitively. Its past participle is assorbito .
It comes from Latin absorbere, meaning “to swallow up,” formed from ab- (“away”) and sorbere (“to suck in”).
Synonyms & antonyms
- assorbire and assimilare can both refer to taking in information or substances; assimilare emphasizes integrating or processing what is taken in.
- assorbire and inglobare can both mean to incorporate; inglobare emphasizes enclosing or bringing something into a larger whole.
- assorbire and consumare can both refer to using resources; consumare emphasizes using them up.
- rilasciare means “to release,” the opposite of taking something in.
- respingere means “to repel” or “reject,” rather than absorb.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
La spugna assorbe l’acqua.verb
The sponge absorbs the water.
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