spongiform

[ spuhn-juh-fawrm ]

adjective

1. resembling a sponge, as in appearance or structure.

spongiform

/ ˈspʌndʒɪˌfɔːm /

adjective

1. resembling a sponge in appearance, esp in having many holes
2. denoting diseases characterized by this appearance of affected tissues

Word History and Origins

Origin of spongiform¹

First recorded in 1815–20

Example Sentences

Also known as “zombie deer disease,” chronic wasting disease is a contagious infection similar to mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

From Los Angeles Times

In the 1980s, concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy — or mad cow disease — took hold across Europe, when cases of the incurable and invariably fatal neurodegenerative disease of cattle began to appear.

From Los Angeles Times

The practice is banned in the United Kingdom, European Union and Canada, where fears of spreading bovine spongiform encephalitis — mad cow disease — made such practices seem too risky.

From Los Angeles Times

The sources said that in addition to securing more export permits and restoring suspended ones, the industry was also keen on reopening talks on health protocols around atypical cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease.

From Reuters

A case of the disease, formally called bovine spongiform encephalitis, was confirmed earlier by Para's agricultural defense agency.

From Reuters