spongin

American

[spuhn-jin] / ˈspʌn dʒɪn /

noun

a scleroprotein occurring in the form of fibers that form the skeleton of certain sponges.

spongin British

/ ˈspʌndʒɪn /

noun

a fibrous horny protein that forms the skeletal framework of the bath sponge and related sponges

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of spongin

First recorded in 1865–70; sponge + -in ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

spongin

Another type of protein, spongin, may also be present in the mesohyl of some sponges.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

The spongin that binds the skeleton-spicules together takes the form of a colourless or yellowish transparent membrane, which is often practically invisible.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Nelson Annandale

Skeleton reticulate, loose, with definite radiating and transverse fibres held together by a small quantity of spongin; the fibres slender but not extremely so.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Nelson Annandale

The consistency of a sponge depends on two factors—the number of spicules present, and the amount of spongin.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Nelson Annandale

Typical albuminoids are gelatin, keratin, elastin, fibroin, spongin and conchiolin.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023