sponge

sponge [spunj]

n.

[ME < OE < L spongia < Gr spongia, spongos]

1. any of a phylum (Porifera) of simple, aquatic, sessile animals having a porous structure and a tough, often siliceous or calcareous, skeleton

2. the elastic skeleton, or a piece of the skeleton, of certain sponges, light in weight and highly absorbent, used for washing surfaces, in bathing, etc.

3. any substance like this; specif.,

a) a piece of spongy plastic, cellulose, rubber, etc., used like natural sponge

b) a pad of gauze or cotton, as used in surgery

c) a light dessert made of whipped gelatin and beaten egg whites or whipped cream

d) raised dough, as for bread

e) any of several metals, as platinum, found in a porous mass

f) a person having a spongelike capacity, as for drink, knowledge, etc.

g) Informal SPONGER (sense 3)

vt.

sponged, sponging [ME spongen < SPONGE the n.]

1. to use a sponge on so as to dampen, wipe clean, etc.

2. to remove or obliterate with or as with a damp sponge: usually with out, off, away, etc.

3. to absorb with, as with, or like a sponge: often with up

4. Informal to get without cost, as by begging, imposition, etc.

vi.

1. to gather sponges from the sea

2. to take up liquid like a sponge

3. Informal to be a SPONGER (sense 3): often with off or on

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throw in the sponge or toss in the sponge

Informal to admit defeat; give up: from the practice by a boxer's second of throwing a sponge into the ring to concede defeat