spongin

American  

[spuhn-jin] / ˈspʌn dʒɪn /

noun

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

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spongin British  

/ ˈspʌndʒɪn /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of spongin

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spongin

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

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

In some varieties of sponges, especially in the kinds which come into the market, the skeleton is almost entirely composed of fibers of pure "spongin."

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

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 skeleton is variable in structure, sometimes being almost amorphous, sometimes having well-defined radiating and transverse fibres firmly compacted with spongin.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

Dr. Ledenfeld again illustrated this stage of his lecture by means of a number of microscopic slides in which the variety of shape and size of these spicules and "spongin" fibers were shown.

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