What is the meaning of the word "absorb"?

Definitions:

to assimilate or take in verb
- The immigrants were quickly absorbed into society.
to become imbued verb
- Those paper towels absorb a lot of water.
to cause to become one with verb
- The sales tax is absorbed into the state income tax.
to consume all of one's attention or time verb
- My interest in feline photography absorbs me completely.
to devote oneself fully to verb
- We were absorbed by the new video game.
to suck or take up or in verb
- A black star absorbs all matter.
to take in, also metaphorically verb
- The sponge absorbs water well.
to take up mentally verb
- They absorbed the knowledge and beliefs of their elders.
to take up, as of debts or payments verb
- Thankfully, we were able to absorb the cost of the unexpected car repairs.