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- pronunciation:
- spuhnj
- parts of speech:
- noun, transitive verb, intransitive verb
- phrases:
- throw in the sponge
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer
part of speech: |
noun |
definition 1: |
any of various aquatic animals with a porous body and a tough fibrous or calcareous skeleton formed of irregular clumps or branched masses that are attached to underwater surfaces.
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definition 2: |
the light, flexible, porous skeleton mass of certain of these animals, dried without the fleshy matter and used for cleaning and bathing.
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definition 3: |
any similar absorbent material made of rubber, cellulose, cotton gauze, or various synthetics, and used for surgical purposes, cleaning, and the like.
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definition 4: |
one who is considered to be unnecessarily dependent on others, as for money.
- similar words:
- drone
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definition 5: |
a person who easily absorbs much information or knowledge.
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related words: |
absorbent, appendage, bath, mendicant |
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phrase: |
throw in the sponge |
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part of speech: |
transitive verb |
inflections: |
sponges, sponging, sponged |
definition 1: |
to wipe, clean, or moisten with a sponge.
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definition 2: |
to soak up or absorb with a sponge (usu. fol. by "up").
He sponged up the water that had spilled on the floor. |
definition 3: |
to obtain by relying on others' generosity.
He sponged another meal from me last night.- similar words:
- bum
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related words: |
absorb, beg, blot, dab, hitch, scrub, soak |
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part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
definition 1: |
to use a sponge to absorb, clean, or moisten something.
He's still sponging in the bathtub. |
definition 2: |
to get others to supply one's needs (often fol. by "off" or "on").
She's been sponging off her sister for years. |
related words: |
beg, scrub |
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derivation: |
spongelike (adj.) |
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