Definition: imbibe

Search dictionary for

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

imbibe
     v 1: take in, also metaphorically; "The sponge absorbs water
          well"; "She drew strength from the minister's words"
          [syn: absorb, suck, soak up, sop up, suck up,
          draw, take in, take up]
     2: take into solution, as of gas, light, or heat [syn: assimilate]
     3: take in liquids [syn: drink]
     4: receive into the mind and retain; "Imbibe ethical
        principles"

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Imbibe \Im*bibe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbibed; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Imbibing.] [L. imbibere; pref. im- in + bibere to drink:
   cf. F. imbiber. Cf. Bib, Imbue, Potable.]
   1. To drink in; to absorb; to suck or take in; to receive as
      by drinking; as, a person imbibes drink, or a sponge
      imbibes moisture.

   2. To receive or absorb into the mind and retain; as, to
      imbibe principles; to imbibe errors.

   3. To saturate; to imbue. [Obs.] ``Earth, imbibed with . . .
      acid.'' --Sir I. Newton.