a primitive sedentary aquatic invertebrate with a soft porous body that is typically supported by a framework of fibres or calcareous or glassy spicules. Sponges draw in a current of water to extract nutrients and oxygen
海绵（原始水生无脊椎动物）。
a piece of a soft, light, porous substance originally consisting of the fibrous skeleton of such an invertebrate but now usually made of synthetic material. Sponges absorb liquid and are used for washing and cleaning
（洗涤和清洁用的）人造海绵；海绵。
[in sing.]an act of wiping or cleaning with a sponge
用海绵擦拭（或清洁）
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they gave him a quick sponge down .他们用海绵把他迅速地擦洗了一遍。
[mass noun]such a substance used as padding or insulating material
海绵填料；海绵绝缘物质
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the headguard is padded with sponge .头盔里有海绵护垫。
a piece of such a substance impregnated with spermicide and inserted into a woman's vagina as a form of barrier contraceptive
（浸满杀精子剂的）海绵避孕栓。
〈非正式〉 大量饮酒的人。
[mass noun][with modifier]metal in a porous form, typically prepared by reduction without fusion or by electrolysis
金属绵，海绵金属
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platinum sponge .铂绵。
(亦作
海绵状蛋糕，无脂（或低脂）松蛋糕
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a chocolate sponge 巧克力海绵蛋糕
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[mass noun]
the gateau is made with moist sponge. 那大蛋糕是由湿软的海绵蛋糕做成的。
short for
〈非正式〉 依赖他人生活的人。
[with obj.]wipe, rub, or clean with a wet sponge or cloth
用湿海绵（或湿布）揩，擦，把…弄干净
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she sponged him down in an attempt to cool his fever. 她用湿海绵替他擦身，想为他降体温。
remove or wipe away (liquid or a mark) in such a way
用海绵擦掉（液体，斑点）
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I'll go and sponge this orange juice off my dress. 我去拿海绵把衣服上的橙汁擦掉。
give a decorative mottled or textured effect to (a painted wall or surface) by applying a different shade of paint with a sponge
（在油漆过的墙或其他表面上）用海绵涂上不同色度的油漆（以产生斑驳或凹凸不平的装饰效果）。
[no obj.]
〈非正式〉 白吃白拿
-
they found they could earn a perfectly good living by sponging off others .他们发现靠白吃白拿日子还能过得挺不错呢。
[with obj.]obtain (something) in such a way
白拿
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he edged closer, clearly intending to sponge money from her. 他慢慢向前靠近，显然是想向她要钱。
"Old English （in sense 2 of the noun）, via Latin from Greek
