spongin

American  

[spuhn-jin] / ˈspʌn dʒɪn /

noun

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

---

spongin British  

/ ˈspʌndʒɪn /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of spongin

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

Example Sentences

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

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Skeleton with well defined radiating and transverse fibres, which are never strong but form a fairly dense network with a small amount of spongin.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

The amount of spongin present is also different in different species.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

Skeleton very delicate; radiating fibres rarely consisting of more than two parallel spicules; transverse fibres far apart, frequently consisting of single spicules; very little spongin present.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

In some cases the skeleton seems to be more or less replaced by sand, the small grains of which are cemented together by the "spongin."

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 601, July 9, 1887 by Various