sponge

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   someone able to acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily

   Children soak up foreign languages like sponges.

2. 2
   noun

   A piece of porous material used for washing (originally made from the invertebrates, now often made of plastic).

   She removed Stranleigh’s coat with a dexterity that aroused his imagination. The elder woman returned with dressings and a sponge, which she placed on a chair.

3. 3
   noun

   A person who readily absorbs ideas.

   For this reason, we need to think of our children as sponges of information and watch their sources carefully. We also need to always model appropriate behaviour, as we are a constant source of new information.

4. 4
   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.

   The great guns ranged along the deck — each bound fast by its new breechings — with their linstocks and sponges and ladles and rammers, made no idle show of warlike strength.

5. 5
   verb

   To take advantage of the kindness of others.

   The fly is an intruder, and a common smell-feast, that spunges upon other Peoples Trenchers.

6. 6
   verb

   To get by imposition; to scrounge.

   “[…] They talk of you as if you were Croesus—and I expect the beggars sponge on you unconscionably.” And Vickers launched forth into a tirade very different from his platform utterances. He spoke with extreme contempt of the dense stupidity exhibited on all occasions by the working classes.

7. 7
   verb

   To deprive (somebody) of something by imposition.

   How came such multitudes of our nation […] to be sponged of their plate and their money?

8. 8
   verb

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

   Before stepping into the bath the head should be wet with cold water, and in the bath the pit of the stomach should first be sponged.

Etymology

From Middle English sponge, from Old English spunge, taken from Latin spongia, from Ancient Greek σπογγιά (spongiá), from σπόγγος (spóngos).