sponge

Definitions

1. 1noun

   Any one of numerous species of Spongiae, or Porifera. See Illust. and Note under Spongiae.

2. 2noun

   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. 3noun

   One who lives upon others; a pertinaceous and indolent dependent; a parasite; a sponger.

4. 4noun

   Any spongelike substance.

5. 5noun

   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.

6. 6noun

   Iron from the puddling furnace, in a pasty condition.

7. 7noun

   Iron ore, in masses, reduced but not melted or worked.

8. 8noun

   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.

9. 9noun

   The extremity, or point, of a horseshoe, answering to the heel.

10. 10transitive verb

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

11. 11transitive verb

    To wipe out with a sponge, as letters or writing; to efface; to destroy all trace of.

12. 12transitive verb

    Fig.: To deprive of something by imposition.

13. 13transitive verb

    Fig.: To get by imposition or mean arts without cost; as, to sponge a breakfast.

14. 14intransitive verb

    To suck in, or imbile, as a sponge.

15. 15intransitive verb

    Fig.: To gain by mean arts, by intrusion, or hanging on; as, an idler sponges on his neighbor.

16. 16intransitive verb

    To be converted, as dough, into a light, spongy mass by the agency of yeast, or leaven.

17. 17noun

    primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies

    Synonyms

    parazoanporiferan
18. 18noun

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

    Synonyms

    leechparasitesponger
19. 19noun

    someone able to acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily

    "she soaks up foreign languages like a sponge"

20. 20noun

    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

21. 21verb

    gather sponges, in the ocean

22. 22verb

    wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten

23. 23verb

    soak up with a sponge

24. 24verb

    erase with a sponge; as of words on a blackboard

25. 25verb

    ask for and get free; be a parasite

    Synonyms

    bumcadgegrubmooch