resorbentadj.
/rᵻˈsɔːb(ə)nt/, /rᵻˈzɔːb(ə)nt/, U.S. /rəˈsɔrb(ə)nt/, /riˈsɔrb(ə)nt/, /rəˈzɔrb(ə)nt/, /riˈzɔrb(ə)nt/ Chiefly Medicine (now rare).
Carrying out resorption, absorbing again; of or relating to resorption. Also: undergoing resorption (rare). Cf. resorptive adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > assimilation or absorption > [adjective] > again
resorbent1740
resorptive1853
1740 J. Martyn tr. H. Boerhaave Treat. Powers Med. iv. ii. 296 The Eye also offends by immobility; for it offends, if the resorbent Vessels [L. Vascula Resorbentia] cannot reduce the aqueous humour the same.
1760 M. Wodhull Ode to Muses i. 5 Again resorbent ocean's wave Receives the waters which it gave From thousand rills with copious currents fraught.
1786 J. Hunter Treat. Venereal Dis. 254 They also speak of the swelling of the inguinal glands..from the contagion being communicated by the resorbent lymphatics.
1803 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 9 95 Digitalis..augments the oscillation of the resorbent vessels.
1852 C. Barter Dorp & Veld xvi. 243 Some [of the crew] hold fast the boat against the resorbent tide.
1889 Science 29 Mar. 232/2 Not until the silicates are developed, and the granitic quartz begins to form, does the resorbent action discontinue.
1941 Jrnl. Mammalogy 22 274 There was one case of a single, small resorbent fetus in this lot.
1962 K. F. Lagler et al. Ichthyol. viii. 257 When the fish descends..the resorbent capillary network collapses so as to enlarge the area of contact of the gas gland.
2007 Jrnl. Oral & Maxillofacial Surg. 65 440/1 The dressing was kept moist..to ensure a breakdown of the resorbent matrix.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1740