adsorb

• POS: Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: ad=sorb

CIDE DICTIONARY

adsorb, v. t. 

 to attract and bind (molecules of a substance in a fluid) so as to form a thin layer on the surface, by non-electrostatic forces; to bind by adsorption. Distinguished from absorb, in which the foreign substance penetrates the body of the absorbing material.  [WordNet 1.5]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

adsorb, v.tr. (usu. of a solid) hold (molecules of a gas or liquid or solute) to its surface, causing a thin film to form.

Derivative

adsorbable adj. adsorbent adj. & n. adsorption n. (also adsorbtion).

Etymology

AD-, after ABSORB

THESAURUS

adsorb

absorb, assimilate, blot, blot up, chemisorb, chemosorb, digest, drink, drink in, drink up, engross, filter in, imbibe, infiltrate, osmose, percolate in, seep in, slurp up, soak in, soak up, sorb, sponge, swill up, take in, take up