|to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.|
|to run away hurriedly; flee.|
|1.||any multicellular typically marine animal of the phylum Porifera, usually occurring in complex sessile colonies in which the porous body is supported by a fibrous, calcareous, or siliceous skeletal framework|
|2.||See also spongin a piece of the light porous highly absorbent elastic skeleton of certain sponges, used in bathing, cleaning, etc|
|3.||any of a number of light porous elastic materials resembling a sponge|
|4.||another word for sponger|
|5.||informal a person who indulges in heavy drinking|
|6.||leavened dough, esp before kneading|
|7.||See sponge cake|
|8.||(Brit) Also called: sponge pudding a light steamed or baked pudding, spongy in texture, made with various flavourings or fruit|
|9.||porous metal produced by electrolysis or by reducing a metal compound without fusion or sintering and capable of absorbing large quantities of gas: platinum sponge|
|10.||a rub with a sponge|
|11.||throw in the sponge See throw in|
|—vb (when tr, |
|14.||to absorb (liquids, esp when spilt) in the manner of a sponge|
|15.||to get (something) from (someone) by presuming on his generosity: to sponge a meal off someone|
|17.||(intr) to go collecting sponges|
|[Old English, from Latin spongia, from Greek]|
Any of numerous aquatic invertebrate animals of the phylum Porifera.
The light, fibrous, absorbent skeleton of certain of these organisms.
A piece of absorbent porous material, such as cellulose, plastic, or rubber, used especially for washing and cleaning.
A gauze pad used to absorb blood and other fluids, as in surgery or in dressing a wound.
A contraceptive sponge.
|sponge (spŭnj) Pronunciation Key
occurs only in the narrative of the crucifixion (Matt. 27:48; Mark 15:36; John 19:29). It is ranked as a zoophyte. It is found attached to rocks at the bottom of the sea.