Any species of the class Hexactinellida of sponges, which have a skeleton made of four- and/or six-pointed siliceous spicules.

(UK, Australia) A bag for carrying toiletries, as when travelling.

(figuratively, informal, derogatory) Someone who or something that takes the fun out of life; a killjoy.

A fine and soft variety of commercial sponges (Spongia officinalis).

A porous, grayish-black form of platinum.

(UK, historical) A bailiff's or other house in which debtors are put before being taken to jail, or until they compromise with their creditors. At these houses extortionate charges were commonly made for food, lodging, etc.

(cooking) To leaven a small mass of flour, to be used in leavening a larger quantity.

plural of sponging house

A type of bathing, usually conducted in hospitals, which involves washing someone with a sponge. Usually the person being washed is bed-ridden.

A light, soft, baked dessert (commonly layered with cream and jam) that is typically made with flour, sugar, baking powder and eggs, and has a firm, yet well aerated structure, similar to that of a sea sponge.