Assimilate, imbibe (6)
I believe the answer is:
absorb
This clue is a double definition.
'assimilate' is the first definition.
(I know that assimilate is a more specific form of absorb)
'imbibe' is the second definition.
(synonyms)
(Other definitions for absorb that I've seen before include "Assimilate, integrate" , "Assimilate or take in as a sponge" , "Soak up, as a sponge" , "Carved figure" , "hold" .)