spong1ole

[Latin spongiolus a kind of fungus, dim in. from spongia (q. v.).] Bot.: The young tender extremity of a root by which fluid food is absorbed from the earth. It was once believed to be the growing and absorbing point of the root. This is now known to be just behind the apex. Called also a Sponge let. "The effect of this pruning is to increase the number of fibers and spongioles."-Scribner's Magazine , April, 1880, p. 826. †spon-gi-o-lite, s. [ Gr.spongia =a sponge, and lithos a stone.] Palæont.: The fo il spicule of a sponge. ( Dana .) spon-gi-ô-pi-line, s. [Gr. spongia a sponge, and pilos =felt.] Surg.: A substitute for a poultice made of an absorbent stratum of sponge and fiber on an india rubber backing. spon-gi-oŭs, spon-gi-ōse, a. [Eng. spong(e); -ious, -iose.] Sponge-like, like a sponge; spongy. *spong-ite, s. [Gr. spongitēs of, in, or like a sponge.] Palæont .: A fo il sponge.