sponge Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. 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
  2. noun someone able to acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily
    quick study.
    • she soaks up foreign languages like a sponge
  3. noun a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage
    sponger; leech; parasite.
  4. noun primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies
    parazoan; poriferan.
  5. verb wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten
  6. verb ask for and get free; be a parasite
    cadge; bum; grub; mooch.
  7. verb erase with a sponge; as of words on a blackboard
  8. verb soak up with a sponge
  9. verb gather sponges, in the ocean

WordNet

Sponge noun
Etymology
OF. esponge, F. éponge, L. spongia, Gr. , . Cf. Fungus, Spunk.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of Spongiæ, or Porifera. See Illust. and Note under Spongiæ.
  2. The elastic fibrous skeleton of many species of horny Spongiæ (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. Fig.: One who lives upon others; a pertinaceous and indolent dependent; a parasite; a sponger.
  4. Any spongelike substance. Specifically: (a) 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. (b) Iron from the puddling furnace, in a pasty condition. (c) Iron ore, in masses, reduced but not melted or worked.
  5. (Gun.) 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. (Far.) The extremity, or point, of a horseshoe, answering to the heel.
Sponge transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Sponged ; present participle & verbal noun Sponging
Definitions
  1. To cleanse or wipe with a sponge; as, to sponge a slate or a cannon; to wet with a sponge; as, to sponge cloth.
  2. To wipe out with a sponge, as letters or writing; to efface; to destroy all trace of. Hooker.
  3. Fig.: To deprive of something by imposition. "How came such multitudes of our nation . . . to be sponged of their plate and their money?" South.
  4. Fig.: To get by imposition or mean arts without cost; as, to sponge a breakfast. Swift.
Sponge intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To suck in, or imbile, as a sponge.
  2. Fig.: To gain by mean arts, by intrusion, or hanging on; as, an idler sponges on his neighbor. E. Eggleston.
    The fly is an intruder, and a common smell-feast, that sponges upon other people's trenchers. L'Estrange.
  3. To be converted, as dough, into a light, spongy mass by the agency of yeast, or leaven.

Webster 1913