2. To wipe out with a sponge, as letters or writing; to
efface; to destroy all trace of. --Hooker.
3. Fig.: To deprive of something by imposition. ``How came
such multitudes of our nation . . . to be sponged of their
plate and their money?'' --South.
4. Fig.: To get by imposition or mean arts without cost; as,
to sponge a breakfast. --Swift.
{Sponging house} (Eng. Law), 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 are commonly made for food, lodging,
etc.