Absorbable

That may be absorbed. Absorb'ent, a. [Fr. absorbant.] Imbibing; swallowing. Absorbent ground, a term given by painters to a watercolor mixture, which is laid upon the canvas or wood, and which, upon the oil-color being applied, at once imbibes the oil, leaving the colors in which the design is made dry and brilliant. Absorbents, n. ( Anat.) A name given to certain small, delicate ve els which imbibe fluids that come in contact with them, and carry them into the blood. They are denominated lacteals or lymphatics , according to the liquids which they convey. (Med.) Substances used to absorb or neutralize the acids sometimes formed in the stomach: chalk and magnesia are examples. - ( Surg . ) Spongy substances used in dre ing wounds, such as lint and amadou.