adsorbent

verb (used with object) Physical Chemistry.

1. to gather (a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance) on a surface in a condensed layer: Charcoal will adsorb gases.

adjective

1. capable of adsorption

noun

2. a material, such as activated charcoal, on which adsorption can occur

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which a substance, usually a gas, accumulates on the surface of a solid forming a thin film, often only one molecule thickto adsorb hydrogen on nickel; oxygen adsorbs on tungsten Compare absorb (def. 8)

v.

1882, transitive (intransitive use attested from 1919), back-formation from adsorption (1882), coined in German from ad- + -sorption, abstracted from absorption. See absorb. Related: Adsorbent; adsorption.

adj.

1. Capable of adsorption.

n.

1. An adsorptive substance.
2. A pharmacological substance capable of attaching other substances to its surface without any chemical action.
3. An antigen or antibody used in immune adsorption.

v.

1. To take up by adsorption.