This paper outlines a theory of absorption of lower-hybrid (LH) waves in an electron plasma that is based on the nonlinear relation between grad │E3│2, where E3 is the electric field component parallel to the external homogeneous magnetic field, and the space dependent quasi-linear diffusion coefficient, and consequently between grad │E3│2 and the absorption. A local absorption induces an increase of the value of the gradient in the neighbouring region and thereby extends the absorption domain. In this way virtually total ‘single-path’ absorption of the injected LH power is obtained. The theory also allows an explanation of the density limit in current drive.