Verb

(observ)

(lb) To notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail.

:

*1892 , (Arthur Conan Doyle),

*:“One horse?” interjected Holmes. ¶ “Yes, only one.” ¶ “Did you observe the colour?”

*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-03, author=Frank Fish, George Lauder

, volume=101, issue=2, page=114, magazine=(American Scientist) , title= Not Just Going with the Flow , passage=An extreme version of vorticity is a vortex . The vortex is a spinning, cyclonic mass of fluid, which can be observed in the rotation of water going down a drain, as well as in smoke rings, tornados and hurricanes.}}

(lb) To follow or obey the custom, practice, or rules (especially of a religion).

:

*Bible, (w)

*:Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread.

*{{quote-news, year=2011, date=November 10, author=Jeremy Wilson, work=Telegraph

, title= England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , passage=A sell-out crowd of 10,000 then observed perfectly a period of silence before the team revealed their black armbands, complete with stitched-in poppies, for the match. After Fifa’s about-turn, it must have been a frantic few days for the England kit manufacturer. The on-field challenge was altogether more straightforward. }}

(lb) To comment on something; to make an observation.

:

*

*:Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. ¶ ("I never) understood it," she observed , lightly scornful. "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm sure I don't want to read riddles in a strange gentleman's optics."

Verb

To include so that it no longer has separate existence; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to incorporate; to assimilate; to take in and use up.

* (rfdate) :

Dark oblivion soon absorbs them all.

* (rfdate) :

The large cities absorb the wealth and fashion.

(obsolete) To engulf, as in water; to swallow up.

*

To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe; as a sponge or as the lacteals of the body; to chemically take in.

(transitive, physics, chemistry) To take in energy and convert it, as

# (physics) in receiving a physical impact or vibration without recoil.

# (physics) in receiving sound energy without repercussion or echo.

# (physics) taking in radiant energy and converting it to a different form of energy, like heat.

Heat, light, and electricity are absorbed in the substances into which they pass.

To engross or engage wholly; to occupy fully; as, absorbed in study or in the pursuit of wealth.

To occupy or consume time.

Assimilate mentally.

(business) To assume or pay for as part of a commercial transaction.

To defray the costs.

To accept or purchase in quantity.