Etymology Map
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Absorb

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to soak up

Where does the word "absorb" come from? It comes from Latin absorbere, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
absorbere
Latin · ancient
"to swallow up"
'ab-' plus 'sorbere', to suck in
2
Stage 2 of 2
absorb
English · 1400s
"to swallow"
came into English through French 'absorber' and first appears in a 1490 translation from French by the printer William Caxton; 'absorbed' in thought dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Absorb’s story begins in Latin: absorbere meant “to swallow up.” 'ab-' plus 'sorbere', to suck in. It reached English by 1400s as absorb. Came into English through French 'absorber' and first appears in a 1490 translation from French by the printer William Caxton; 'absorbed' in thought dates from the 1700s. Today, absorb means to soak up.