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Accrete vs Absorb - What's the difference?

accrete | absorb |

In lang=en terms the difference between accrete and absorb

is that accrete is to make adhere; to add; to make larger or more, as by growing while absorb is to accept or purchase in quantity.

As verbs the difference between accrete and absorb

is that accrete is to grow together, combine; to fuse while absorb is 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 .

As an adjective accrete

is characterized by accretion; made up; as, accrete matter.

accrete

English

Verb

(accret)
  • To grow together, combine; to fuse.
  • Astronomers believe the Earth began to accrete more than 4.6 billion billion years ago.
  • * '>citation
  • To adhere; to grow or to be added to gradually.
  • To make adhere; to add; to make larger or more, as by growing.
  • (Earle)

    Usage notes

    * (to fuse) Used with the word to .

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Characterized by accretion; made up; as, accrete matter.
  • (botany) Grown together
  • :(Gray)
  • absorb

    English

    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.
  • Synonyms

    * (to include so that it no longer has separate existence) assimilate, engulf, incorporate, swallow up, overwhelm * (to suck up or drink in) draw, drink in, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck, suck up, steep, take in, take up * (to consume completely) use up * (to occupy fully) engage, engross, immerse, monopolize, occupy * assume, bear, pay for to take in

    Antonyms

    * emit

    Derived terms

    * absorption * absorbable * absorbability

    References

    Anagrams

    *

    See also

    * adsorb