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(), n.[OF. esponge, F. ponge, L. spongia, Gr. , . Cf. Fungus, Spunk.] [Formerly written also spunge.] 1. (Zol.) Any one of numerous species of Spongi, or Porifera. See Illust. and Note under Spongi. 2. The elastic fibrous skeleton of many species of horny Spongi (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 woo Sponge v. t.[imp. & p. p.Sponged (); p. pr. & vb. n.Sponging ().] 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 v. i. 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. スポンサード リンク
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