sponge

nouns

a porous mass of interlacing fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals and usable to absorb water or any porous rubber or cellulose product similarly used

sponge

is derived from

spongy

is a type of (narrower)

a material having capacity or tendency to absorb another substance

absorbent, absorbent material

someone able to acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily

"she soaks up foreign languages like a sponge"

quick study, sponge

a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage

leech, parasite, sponge, sponger

primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies

parazoan, poriferan, sponge

is derived from

spongy

verbs

wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten

sponge

is a type of (narrower)

rub with a circular motion

"wipe the blackboard"; "He passed his hands over the soft cloth"

pass over, wipe

ask for and get free; be a parasite

bum, cadge, grub, mooch, sponge

is derived from

sponger

erase with a sponge; as of words on a blackboard

sponge

is a type of (narrower)

remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing

"Please erase the formula on the blackboard--it is wrong!"

efface, erase, rub out, score out, wipe off

soak up with a sponge

sponge

is a type of (narrower)

to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop

"Mop the hallway now"; "He mopped her forehead with a towel"

mop, mop up, wipe up

gather sponges, in the ocean

sponge

is derived from

sponger

is a type of (narrower)

assemble or get together

"gather some stones"; "pull your thoughts together"

collect, garner, gather, pull together