wool sponge

American  

noun

1. a commercial sponge, Hippiospongia lachne, of Florida and the West Indies, the surface of which resembles the fleece of a sheep.

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Etymology

Origin of wool sponge

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

The dingy drifted so far during the discussion that they were unable to find the sheep's wool sponge that Pedro had seen, and which he now described as the finest one ever found.

From Project Gutenberg

I claim, 1st, A building, structure, or compartment, A, provided with openings, a, covered by screens, B, substantially as and for the purpose set forth, 2d, A screen for separating the oxide of zinc from the fumes and gases of burning zinc ore, composed of ground cork, hair, wool, sponge, or other suitable or similar material, confined within a suitable chamber, substantially as set forth.

From Project Gutenberg