Background for sponges

sponges

/ˈspʌndʒɪz/

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noun

Any of various marine invertebrates, mostly of the phylum Porifera, that have a porous skeleton often of silica.

Examples :

"Divers found several large sponges attached to the coral reef, filtering seawater for food. "

animal biology ocean

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noun

A piece of porous material used for washing (originally made from the invertebrates, now often made of plastic).

Examples :

"I used two sponges to wash the dishes after dinner. "

material utensil item

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noun

A porous material such as sponges consist of.

Examples :

"Sponges consist of many tiny holes that soak up water easily. "

material substance

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noun

A heavy drinker.

Examples :

"My uncle and his friends are real sponges; they drink beer all afternoon at the barbecue. "

drink person character

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noun

A type of light cake.

Examples :

"For dessert, Grandma made a tray of little sponges with whipped cream and berries. "

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noun

A type of steamed pudding.

Examples :

"My grandmother always makes delicious sponges for dessert on Sundays. "

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noun

A person who takes advantage of the generosity of others (abstractly imagined to absorb or soak up the money or efforts of others like a sponge).

Examples :

""My roommates were such sponges; they never bought groceries or cleaned, always relying on me to do everything." "

person character attitude negative moral

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noun

A form of contraception that is inserted vaginally; a contraceptive sponge.

Examples :

"The doctor explained that some over-the-counter contraception options include condoms, spermicide, and sponges. "

medicine sex device

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noun

Any sponge-like substance.

Examples :

"The cleaning crew used large sponges to soak up the spilled juice on the floor. "

material substance

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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.

Examples :

"After firing the cannon, the soldier used the sponges to quickly clean the inside of the barrel, preparing it for the next shot. "

military weapon utensil machine

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noun

The extremity, or point, of a horseshoe, corresponding to the heel.

Examples :

"The farrier carefully shaped the sponges of the horseshoe to ensure a comfortable fit on the horse's hooves. "

part animal technical

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noun

A nuclear power plant worker routinely exposed to radiation.

Examples :

"The radiation sponges at the power plant are carefully monitored for any signs of illness. "

job work person industry energy

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verb

To take advantage of the kindness of others.

Examples :

"He has been sponging off his friends for a month now."

character moral attitude human value

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verb

To get by imposition; to scrounge.

Examples :

"to sponge a breakfast"

attitude character economy action job

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verb

To deprive (somebody) of something by imposition.

Examples :

"The strict new rules at school sponged the students of their freedom to choose their own activities. "

business economy finance

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verb

To clean, soak up, or dab with a sponge.

Examples :

"I sponges the kitchen counter after I spill some juice. "

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verb

To suck in, or imbibe, like a sponge.

Examples :

"The young student sponges up new information in class, eager to learn. "

physiology biology

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verb

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

Examples :

"The teacher made a mistake on the board and quickly sponged it away before anyone could copy it down. "

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verb

To be converted, as dough, into a light, spongy mass by the agency of yeast or leaven.

Examples :

"The baker lets the dough sponge overnight before shaping it into loaves. "