Absorbent

Description

A substance that has the ability to take up, or absorb, another material without any chemical bonding. Examples are chalk, sponge, starch, blotting paper, and fuller's earth. Sometimes a general name of 'sorbent' is used for both absorbent and adsorbent materials.

Synonyms and Related Terms

absorbent material; absorber (AAT preferred)

Authority

• Fairchild's Dictionary of Textiles, Phyllis G.Tortora, Robert S. Merkel (eds.), Fairchild Publications, New York City, 7th edition, 1996

• A Glossary of Paper Conservation Terms, Margaret Ellis (ed.), Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York City, 1998

• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000 Comment: preferred term = absorber