■ noun
1》 a sedentary aquatic invertebrate with a soft porous body supported by a framework of fibres or spicules. [Phylum Porifera.]
2》 a piece of a soft, light, porous absorbent substance originally consisting of the fibrous skeleton of a ~ but now usually made of synthetic material, used for washing, as padding, etc.
↘a piece of ~ impregnated with spermicide and inserted into a woman's vagina as a form of barrier contraceptive.
3》 Brit. a very light cake made with eggs, sugar, and flour but little or no fat.
4》 informal a person who lives at someone else's expense.
5》 informal a heavy drinker.
6》 metal in a porous form.
■ verb ( ~s , sponging or ~ing , ~d )
1》 wipe or clean with a wet ~ or cloth.
2》 (often ~ off ) informal obtain money or food from others without giving anything in return.
3》 give a decorative effect to (a wall or surface) by applying paint with a ~.
↘decorate (pottery) using a ~.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~-like adjective
Origin
OE, via L. from Gk spongia , later form of spongos , reinforced in ME by OFr. e~ .