Englishfor English speakers
absorb
Verb
—
If something is absorbed, it is sucked or soaked up (usually a liquid).
The sponge absorbed the spilled water.
—
If you absorb something, you take it in and use it; you learn it.
The teacher was good, I absorbed everything that she said.
Your brain is able to absorb lots of information.
—
If something absorbs your time, it takes all it up; it occupies all of your time.
The job absorbs all of my time during the busy season.
a
Determinative
—
A is used when the following word could be any of a certain type.
Compare "A book I saw on the shelf" and "The book I gave you yesterday".
a
Noun
—
A is the first letter of the alphabet.
The letter "a" comes before "b".
—
In some schools, an A is a very high grade.
Ron got an A on his earth science test.
quantum
—
noun
(physics) the smallest discrete quantity of some physical property that a system can possess (according to quantum theory)
—
noun
a discrete amount of something that is analogous to the quantities in quantum theory