sponge

sponge definition - medical

sponge (spŭnj)

noun
  1. Any of numerous aquatic invertebrate animals of the phylum Porifera.
  2. The light, fibrous, absorbent skeleton of certain of these organisms.
  3. A piece of absorbent porous material, such as cellulose, plastic, or rubber, used especially for washing and cleaning.
  4. A gauze pad used to absorb blood and other fluids, as in surgery or in dressing a wound.
  5. A contraceptive sponge.
verb
To wash, moisten, or absorb with a sponge.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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