v. Obs. [ad. L. absūm-ĕre to take away, f. ab away + sūmĕre to take.] To consume gradually, to waste away, to carry off.
1596. Barlow, 3 Serm., i. 45. A Famine … lasting three full yeares, absuming many men.
1677. Hales, Prim. Orig. Man., I. iii. 85. For if it had burned part after part, the whole must needs be absumed in a portion of time.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. on Waters, III. 310. The humidity is absumed to about one sixteenth.
