1. (n.) Any one of numerous species of Spongiae, or Porifera. See Spongiae.

2. (n.) The elastic fibrous skeleton of many species of horny Spongiae (keratosa), used for many purposes, especially the varieties of the genus Spongia. The most valuable sponges are found in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and on the coasts of Florida and the West Indies.

3. (n.) One who lives upon others; a pertinaceous and indolent dependent; a parasite; a sponger.

4. (n.) Any spongelike substance.

5. (n.) Dough before it is kneaded and formed into loaves, and after it is converted into a light, spongy mass by the agency of the yeast or leaven.

6. (n.) Iron from the puddling furnace, in a pasty condition.

7. (n.) Iron ore, in masses, reduced but not melted or worked.

8. (n.) 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.

9. (n.) The extremity, or point, of a horseshoe, answering to the heel.

10. (v. t.) To cleanse or wipe with a sponge; as, to sponge a slate or a cannon; to wet with a sponge; as, to sponge cloth.

11. (v. t.) To wipe out with a sponge, as letters or writing; to efface; to destroy all trace of.

12. (v. t.) Fig.: To deprive of something by imposition.

13. (v. t.) Fig.: To get by imposition or mean arts without cost; as, to sponge a breakfast.

14. (v. i.) To suck in, or imbile, as a sponge.

15. (v. i.) Fig.: To gain by mean arts, by intrusion, or hanging on; as, an idler sponges on his neighbor.

16. (v. i.) To be converted, as dough, into a light, spongy mass by the agency of yeast, or leaven.

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