1
a(1)
: an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb water
(2)
: a piece of sponge (as for scrubbing)
(3)
: a porous rubber or cellulose product used similarly to a sponge
b
: any of a phylum (Porifera) of aquatic chiefly marine simple invertebrate animals that have a double-walled body of loosely aggregated cells with a skeleton supported by spicules or spongin and are filter feeders that are sessile as adults
2
: a pad (as of folded gauze) used in surgery and medicine (as to remove discharge)
3
: one who lives on others
4
a
: a soft mixture of yeast, liquid, and flour that is allowed to rise and then mixed with additional ingredients to create bread dough
b
: a whipped dessert usually containing whites of eggs or gelatin
c
: a metal (such as platinum) obtained in porous form usually by reduction without fusion
titanium sponge
d
: the egg mass of a crab
5
: an absorbent contraceptive device that is impregnated with spermicide and inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix
sponged; sponging
1
: to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge
2
: to erase or destroy with or as if with a sponge
—often used with out
3
: to get by sponging on another
4
: to absorb with or as if with or in the manner of a sponge
1
: to absorb, soak up, or imbibe like a sponge
2
: to get something from or live on another by imposing on hospitality or good nature
sponged off of her sister
3
: to dive or dredge for sponges
sponger
noun
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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