sorb

¹ American  

[sawrb] / sɔrb /

noun

1. a European tree, Sorbus domestica.

2. Also called sorb apple.  the fruit of this tree.

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sorb ² American  

[sawrb] / sɔrb /

verb (used with object)

Chemistry.

1. to gather on a surface either by absorption, adsorption, or a combination of the two processes.

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Sorb ³ American  

[sawrb] / sɔrb /

noun

1. a Wend.

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sorb ¹ British  

/ sɔːb /

noun

1. another name for service tree

2. any of various related trees, esp the mountain ash

3. Also called: sorb apple.  the fruit of any of these trees

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Sorb ² British  

/ sɔːb /

noun

1. Also called: Wend.   Lusatian.  a member of a Slavonic people living chiefly in the rural areas of E Germany between the upper reaches of the Oder and Elbe rivers (Lusatia)

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Other Word Forms

• sorbability noun
• sorbable adjective
• sorbic adjective

Etymology

Origin of sorb¹

1520–30; < Latin sorbum serviceberry and sorbus service tree

Origin of sorb²

1905–10; extracted from absorb and adsorb

Origin of Sorb³

1835–45; < German Sorbe ≪ Lusatian serbje, serbjo

Example Sentences

The decline probably resulted from the inability of a depressed market to ab sorb a sizable block of the stock.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Well, but haven't I a sorb, which is better?"

From A Voyage to Arcturus by Lindsay, David

Suddenly she darted all her will into her sorb.

From A Voyage to Arcturus by Lindsay, David

The arm gave him at once a sense of greater physical security, but with the sorb he was obliged to experiment, before he could grasp its function.

From A Voyage to Arcturus by Lindsay, David

The missile had the desired effect, for the giantess fled, the waters abated, and Thor, exhausted but safe, pulled himself up on the opposite bank by a little shrub, the mountain-ash or sorb.

From Myths of the Norsemen From the Eddas and Sagas by Guerber, H. A. (Hélène Adeline)