Lexic.us

Definition of Sponge

1. Verb. Wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten.

2. Noun. A porous mass of interlacing fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals and usable to absorb water or any porous rubber or cellulose product similarly used.

3. Verb. Ask for and get free; be a parasite.

4. Noun. Someone able to acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily. "She soaks up foreign languages like a sponge"

5. Verb. Erase with a sponge; as of words on a blackboard.

6. Noun. A follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage.

7. Verb. Soak up with a sponge.

8. Noun. Primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies.

9. Verb. Gather sponges, in the ocean. "In the summer they like to go out and sponge"

Definition of Sponge

1. n. Any one of numerous species of Spongiæ, or Porifera. See Illust. and Note under Spongiæ.

2. v. t. To cleanse or wipe with a sponge; as, to sponge a slate or a cannon; to wet with a sponge; as, to sponge cloth.

3. v. i. To suck in, or imbile, as a sponge.

Definition of Sponge

1. Noun. Any of various marine invertebrates, mostly of the phylum ''Porifera'', that have a porous skeleton often of silica. ¹

2. Noun. A piece of porous material used for washing (originally made from the invertebrates, now often made of plastic). ¹

3. Noun. A porous material such as sponges consist of. ¹

4. Noun. (informal) A heavy drinker. ¹

5. Noun. (countable uncountable) A type of light cake; sponge cake. ¹

6. Noun. (countable uncountable British) A type of steamed pudding. ¹

7. Noun. (slang) A person who takes advantage of the generosity of others (abstractly imagined to absorb or soak up the money or efforts of others like a sponge). ¹

8. Noun. A form of contraception that is inserted vaginally; a contraceptive sponge. ¹

9. Verb. (slang) To take advantage of the kindness of others. ¹

10. Verb. To clean, soak up, or dab with a sponge. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Sponge

1. to wipe with a sponge (a mass of absorbent material) [v SPONGED, SPONGING, SPONGES]

Medical Definition of Sponge

1. 1. Any one of numerous species of Spongiae, or Porifera. 2. The elastic fibrous skeleton of many species of horny Spongiae (keratosa), used for many purposes, especially the varieties of the genus Spongia. The most valuable sponges are found in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and on the coasts of Florida and the West Indies. 3. One who lives upon others; a pertinaceous and indolent dependent; a parasite; a sponger. 4. Any spongelike substance. Specifically: Dough before it is kneaded and formed into loaves, and after it is converted into a light, spongy mass by the agency of the yeast or leaven. Iron from the puddling furnace, in a pasty condition. Iron ore, in masses, reduced but not melted or worked. 5. A mop for cleaning the bore of a cannon after a discharge. It consists of a cylinder of wood, covered with sheepskin with the wool on, or cloth with a heavy looped nap, and having a handle, or staff. 6. The extremity, or point, of a horseshoe, answering to the heel. Bath sponge, any one of several varieties of coarse commercial sponges, especially Spongia equina. Cup sponge, a toilet sponge growing in a cup-shaped form. Glass sponge. See Glass-sponge, in the Vocabulary. Glove sponge, a variety of commercial sponge (Spongia officinalis, variety tubulufera), having very fine fibres, native of Florida, and the West Indies. Grass sponge, any one of several varieties of coarse commercial sponges having the surface irregularly tufted, as Spongia graminea, and S. Equina, variety cerebriformis, of Florida and the West Indies. Horse sponge, a coarse commercial sponge, especially Spongia equina. Platinum sponge. A metallic lead brought to a spongy form by reduction of lead salts, or by compressing finely divided lead; used in secondary batteries and otherwise. Sponge tree See Loof. Velvet sponge, a fine, soft commercial sponge (Spongia equina, variety meandriniformis) found in Florida and the West Indies. Vitreous sponge. See Glass-sponge. Yellow sponge, a common and valuable commercial sponge (Spongia agaricina, variety corlosia) found in Florida and the West Indies. Origin: OF. Esponge, F. Eponge, L. Spongia, Gr, . Cf. Fungus, Spunk. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sponge

spondylolisthetic spondylolisthetic pelvis spondylolysis spondylomalacia spondylopathy spondyloptosis spondylopyosis spondyloschisis spondylosis spondylosyndesis

spondylothoracic spondylotomy spondylous spondyls spong sponge bag sponge bath sponge baths sponge biopsy sponge cake

sponge cakes sponge cloth sponge down sponge genus sponge gourd sponge mop sponge morel sponge mushroom sponge off

Literary usage of Sponge

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (1899)
"The sponge was originally about 18 inches high, but is now slightly mutilated at the summit. It presents a firm base, above which rises a slender tapering ..."

2. The American Journal of Education by Henry Barnard (1860)
"The sponge. Notice the various uses of the sponge for domestic purpose» Then its qualities by ... sponge. How do we know it is porous ? what like is it ? ..."

3. College zoology by Robert William Hegner (1918)
"The ordinary bath sponge of commerce is the skeleton of one of these animals. ... 52) is a sponge which will serve to illustrate the structure of the most ..."

4. American Druggist (1893)
"Some sponge Advertisements. Top O'Collum writing in Printers' Ink some time since ... A self-respecting man owes himself a sponge-bath every morning, ..."

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