SPONGE

noun any spongelike substance.

2. sponge ·vi to suck in, or imbile, as a sponge.

3. sponge ·vt fig.: to deprive of something by imposition.

4. sponge ·noun iron from the puddling furnace, in a pasty condition.

5. sponge ·noun iron ore, in masses, reduced but not melted or worked.

6. sponge ·noun the extremity, or point, of a horseshoe, answering to the heel.

7. sponge ·vt fig.: to get by imposition or mean arts without cost; as, to sponge a breakfast.

8. sponge ·noun one who lives upon others; a pertinaceous and indolent dependent; a parasite; a sponger.

9. sponge ·vi to be converted, as dough, into a light, spongy mass by the agency of yeast, or leaven.

10. sponge ·vi fig.: to gain by mean arts, by intrusion, or hanging on; as, an idler sponges on his neighbor.

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

12. sponge ·vt to cleanse or wipe with a sponge; as, to sponge a slate or a cannon; to wet with a sponge; as, to sponge cloth.

13. sponge ·noun any one of numerous species of spongiae, or porifera. ·see ·illust. and note under spongiae.

14. sponge ·noun 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.

15. sponge ·noun 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.

xvi. sponge ·noun 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.