sponge bath

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Word: Sponge Bath

Definition: A "sponge bath" is a way to wash your body using a sponge or a washcloth instead of taking a full bath in a bathtub. It is often used when someone cannot take a regular bath or shower.

Usage Instructions:

• To give someone a sponge bath, you soak a sponge or washcloth in warm water and gently wipe it over their skin to clean them.
• It is commonly used for babies, elderly people, or anyone who is ill and cannot stand or sit in a bathtub.

Example Sentence:

• "After the surgery, the nurse gave the patient a sponge bath to help him feel clean."

Advanced Usage:

• In a medical context, a sponge bath may be part of patient care in hospitals or homes, especially for people with limited mobility.

Word Variants:

• Sponge: A porous material used for cleaning.
• Bath: The act of washing oneself in water, either in a bathtub or shower.

Different Meanings:

• Sponge: Besides being a cleaning tool, "sponge" can also refer to a person who relies on others for support without giving anything in return, like a "freeloader."

Synonyms:

• Washdown
• Bed bath (in medical settings)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "sponge bath," but the term "clean slate" can metaphorically suggest starting fresh, similar to the idea of cleaning oneself thoroughly.

Summary:

A sponge bath is a practical and gentle way to clean oneself using a sponge or washcloth, especially useful when a full bath is not possible.

Academic

Noun

1. you wash your body with a sponge or washcloth instead of in a bathtub