Sponge

spunj, n. A compound gelatinous protozoa of several species, having a horny, flinty, or bony skeleton, found adhering to rocks, shells, etc., underwater: ^ its fibrous framework prepared for use in art, surgery, etc. soft, porous, elastic, and readily imbibes or parts oponge. with large quantities of fluid; one who lives upon others; a sponger; any sponge like substance esp., dough before is kneaded and formed, and while being converted into a light, spongy ma by the agency of the yeast or leaven. (Gun?) An instrument for cleaning cannon after a discharge. v. [sponged (spunjd), sponging.] To cleanse or wipe with a sponge; to wipe out with a sponge, efface, destroy all trace of. — v.i. To suck in or imbibe, as a sponge; to gain by mean arts, by intrusion, or hanging on; to be converted, as dough, into a light, spongy ma by the agency of yeast or leaven. [OF. esponge, L. and Gr spongia; L. and E. fungus, E. sj>unk, peril. Gr somphos = E. swampy: see Swamp.] — Spong'er, n. One who uses a sponge; a parasitical dependent; hanger-on. — Spon'gy, -it, a. Soft and full ot cavities; wet; drenched; soaked and soft, like a sponge; having the quality of imbibing fluids, like a sponge. — Spon'gine , n. — Spon'ging-house, n. A bailiff's house to put debtors in before being taken to jail, or until they compromise with their creditors.