English Words Starting With A

• absorb

  verbverb-transitiveB2
  /əbˈzɔːb/To take in or soak up a liquid, gas, or other substance.
• absorbance

  nounLow (Specialist/Technical)
  /əbˈzɔː.bəns/A scientific measure of how much light of a specific wavelength is absorbed by a substance as it passes through it, used to determine concentration or properties.
• absorbed dose

  nounC1+
  /əbˌzɔːbd ˈdəʊs/A measure of the energy deposited by ionising radiation per unit mass of matter.
• absorbefacient

  adjectivenounVery Low / Extremely Rare
  /əbˌzɔːbɪˈfeɪʃ(ə)nt/A substance or agent that causes absorption, especially a medicine that promotes absorption of fluids or diseased tissue.
• absorbent

  adjectivenounB2
  /əbˈzɔːbənt/A substance or material that soaks up liquids or other substances.
• absorbent cotton

  nounC1
  /əbˈzɔːbənt ˈkɒtn/Cotton wool; a soft, fluffy mass of purified cotton fibres used for absorbing liquids, cleaning wounds, or applying medication.
• absorber

  nounB2
  /əbˈzɔːbə/A device or material that soaks up or takes in a substance, energy, or impact.
• absorbing well

  nounLow (Technical/Contextual)
  /əbˈzɔːbɪŋ ˌwel/A drain or pit filled with gravel or rock, used to disperse surface water (e.g., stormwater) into the ground.
• absorptance

  nounLow (Highly technical/specialized)
  /əbˈzɔːp.təns/The fraction of incident radiation that is absorbed by a surface or material, rather than being reflected or transmitted.
• absorptiometer

  nounVery Low
  /əbˌzɔːp.ʃiˈɒm.ɪ.tər/An instrument for measuring the amount of light or other radiation absorbed by a substance.
• absorption

  nounC1
  /əbˈzɔːp.ʃən/The process of a substance being taken in and incorporated by another, such as a liquid being soaked up by a solid, or the complete mental engagement with something.
• absorption band

  nounC2
  /əbˈzɔːpʃn bænd/A range of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum where a substance absorbs light, appearing as a dark band in a spectrum.
• absorption coefficient

  nounC2
  /əbˈzɔːp.ʃən ˌkəʊ.ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/A measure of how much of a substance (like a gas or electromagnetic radiation) is absorbed by a specific material or medium per unit distance or thickness.
• absorption costing

  nounC1
  /əbˈzɔːpʃən ˈkɒstɪŋ/A method of costing that assigns all manufacturing costs—both variable and fixed—to units of production.
• absorption dynamometer

  nounVery Low
  /əbˈzɔːp.ʃən ˌdaɪ.nəˈmɒm.ɪ.tə/A device that measures mechanical power or torque by absorbing and dissipating the energy as heat.
• absorption edge

  nounVery low frequency (C2-Proficient/Technical)
  /əbˈzɔːp.ʃən ɛdʒ/A specific, sharply-defined energy or wavelength threshold within the electromagnetic spectrum (especially X-ray or ultraviolet) at which a material's ability to absorb radiation suddenly and greatly increases. This corresponds to the energy required to eject a core electron from an atom.
• absorption hygrometer

  nounVery Low
  /əbˈzɔːp.ʃən haɪˈɡrɒm.ɪ.tə/A scientific instrument that measures humidity by absorbing moisture into a material, causing a measurable change.
• absorption spectrum

  nounLow frequency in general English, but high frequency in scientific/technical contexts.
  /əbˈzɔːp.ʃən ˈspɛk.trəm/A plot or diagram showing how much light or radiation is absorbed by a substance at different wavelengths, revealing its chemical composition.
• absorptivity

  nounLow
  /əbˌzɔːpˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/The physical property of a material that determines its ability to absorb radiation.
• absquatulate

  verbverb-intransitiveVery Low
  /əbˈskwɒtʃʊleɪt/to leave suddenly and without explanation; to decamp.

Showing 361–380 of 8734 words.