Hypertext Webster Gateway: "detergent"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Detergent \De*ter"gent\, a. [L. detergens, -entis, p. pr. of
detergere: cf. F. d['e]tergent.]
Cleansing; purging. -- n. A substance which cleanses the
skin, as water or soap; a medicine to cleanse wounds, ulcers,
etc.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
detergent
adj : having cleansing power [syn: {detersive}]
n 1: a surface-active chemical widely used in industry and
laundering
2: a cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also
emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension
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