absorb, imbibe, assimilate
They all mean to take something in so as to become imbued with it.它们都指吸取一些东西，使其浸润。
absorb 英 [əbˈsɔ:b] 美 [əbˈsɔ:rb] is likely to suggest a loss of identity in what is taken in or an enrichment of what takes in.
表示被吸收进来的物质同化，或指因吸收外来事物而变得丰富。(反)dissipate (as time, energies)
例子 : His ability to absorb bits of disconnected information was astonishing.他吸收利用互不相关的零碎信息的能耐惊人。
imbibe 英 [ɪmˈbaɪb] 美 [ɪmˈbaɪb] implies a drinking in and may imply an unconscious taking in whose effect may besignificant or profound.
它指吸收，暗含对影响较明显或深刻的事物的无意识地吸收。(反)ooze, exude
例子 ：Like all great philosophical ideas,this one is simple to understand but virtually impossible to imbibe. 如同每一种伟大的哲学观念，这观念不难了解，事实上却难于吸收。
assimilate 英 [əˈsɪməleɪt] 美 [əˈsɪməˌlet] stresses an incorporation into the substance of the body or mind.
它强调在躯体或思想实质上的结合。
例子 ：It is difficult to assimilate a lot of information. 难于在较短时间内摄取许多信息。
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