Ab*sorb"ent (?), a. [L. absorbens,
p. pr. of absorbere.] Absorbing; swallowing;
absorptive.
Absorbent ground (Paint.), a ground
prepared for a picture, chiefly with distemper, or water colors, by which
the oil is absorbed, and a brilliancy is imparted to the colors.
Ab*sorb"ent, n. 1.
Anything which absorbs.
The ocean, itself a bad absorbent of heat.
Darwin.
2. (Med.) Any substance which absorbs and
neutralizes acid fluid in the stomach and bowels, as magnesia, chalk, etc.;
also a substance e. g., iodine) which acts on the absorbent vessels so as
to reduce enlarged and indurated parts.
3. pl. (Physiol.) The vessels by
which the processes of absorption are carried on, as the lymphatics in
animals, the extremities of the roots in plants.