The imbibing, ‘drinking in’, or absorption of knowledge, opinions, etc.

figurative. The action of digesting, or obtaining mental nourishment from (books, etc.).

transferred and figurative. The taking in of things immaterial; e.g. of notions or ideas into the mind.

figurative and in figurative contexts. A process resembling osmosis, esp. the gradual and often unconscious assimilation or transfer of ideas…