absorbing
UK: əbˈzɔːbɪŋ | US: əbˈzɔːrbɪŋ
adj. 1. intensely interesting; engrossing
adj. 2. (of a substance) capable of soaking up liquid or light
absorbing = ab<away> + sorb<to suck> + ing<adjective suffix>
- ab (Latin ab-, meaning "away")
- sorb (Latin sorbere, meaning "to suck in")
- ing (Old English -ende, present participle suffix, here forming an adjective)
Etymology Origin:
The word "absorbing" originates from Latin absorbere ("to swallow up"), combining ab- (indicating direction) and sorbere ("to suck"). The literal sense of "soaking up liquid" evolved metaphorically to describe something that "sucks in" attention, hence "engrossing." The suffix -ing transforms the verb into an adjective, emphasizing its ongoing or characteristic nature.
The novel was so absorbing that I finished it in one sitting.
This sponge is highly absorbing and can hold twice its weight in water.
She gave an absorbing lecture on quantum physics.
The documentary was absorbing but emotionally draining.
The material’s absorbing properties make it ideal for cleaning spills.