Part 31

Ab*sorpt` (&?;), a. [L. absorptus, p. p.] Absorbed. [Arcahic.] "Absorpt in care." Pope.

Ab*sorp"tion (&?;), n. [L. absorptio, fr. absorbere. See Absorb.] 1. The act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything, or of being absorbed and made to disappear; as, the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool, the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger.

2. (Chem. & Physics) An imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action; as, the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc.

3. (Physiol.) In living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs.

4. Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as, absorption in some employment.

Ab*sorp"tive (&?;), a. Having power, capacity, or tendency to absorb or imbibe. E. Darwin.

Ab*sorp"tive*ness, n. The quality of being absorptive; absorptive power.

Ab`sorp*tiv"i*ty (&?;), n. Absorptiveness.

Ab*squat"u*late (&?;), v. i. To take one's self off; to decamp. [A jocular word. U. S.]

||Abs"que hoc (&?;). [L., without this.] (Law) The technical words of denial used in traversing what has been alleged, and is repeated.

Ab*stain" (&?;), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abstained (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Abstaining.] [OE. absteynen, abstenen, OF. astenir, abstenir, F. abstenir, fr. L. abstinere, abstentum, v. t. & v. i., to keep from; ab, abs + tenere to hold. See Tenable.] To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily, and especially from an indulgence of the passions or appetites; -- with from.

Not a few abstained from voting. Macaulay.

Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? Shak.

Syn. -- To refrain; forbear; withhold; deny one's self; give up; relinquish.

Ab*stain", v. t. To hinder; to withhold.

Whether he abstain men from marrying. Milton.

Ab*stain"er (&?;), n. One who abstains; esp., one who abstains from the use of intoxicating liquors.

Ab*ste"mi*ous (&?;), a. [L. abstemius; ab, abs + root of temetum intoxicating drink.] 1. Abstaining from wine. [Orig. Latin sense.]

Under his special eye Abstemious I grew up and thrived amain. Milton.

2. Sparing in diet; refraining from a free use of food and strong drinks; temperate; abstinent; sparing in the indulgence of the appetite or passions.

Instances of longevity are chiefly among the abstemious. Arbuthnot.

3. Sparingly used; used with temperance or moderation; as, an abstemious diet. Gibbon.

4. Marked by, or spent in, abstinence; as, an abstemious life. "One abstemious day." Pope.

5. Promotive of abstemiousness. [R.]

Such is the virtue of the abstemious well. Dryden.

Ab*ste"mi*ous*ness, n. The quality of being abstemious, temperate, or sparing in the use of food and strong drinks. It expresses a greater degree of abstinence than temperance.

Ab*sten"tion (&?;), a. [F. See Abstain.] The act of abstaining; a holding aloof. Jer. Taylor.

Ab*sten"tious (&?;), a. Characterized by abstinence; self-restraining. Farrar.