Porous (9)
'porous' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for absorbent that I've seen before include "Like a towel" , "Bob ran set (anag.)" , "Like a sponge" , "drinking" , "Permeable" .)
'porous' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
This is all the clue.
(Another definition for permeable that I've seen is " Absorbent".)