Detergent

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
     [1913 Webster]



From WordNet (r) 2.0 [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

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  40 Moby Thesaurus words for "detergent":
     abstergent, cathartic, cleaner, cleaning, cleaning agent,
     cleaning solvent, cleanser, cleansing, cleansing cream, cold cream,
     cream, dentifrice, depurant, depurative, diuretic, emetic, enema,
     expurgatory, holystone, lotion, lustral, mouthwash, nauseant,
     pumice stone, purgative, purge, purging, purificatory, purifier,
     purifying, rinse, shampoo, soap, solvent, surfactant,
     synthetic detergent, tooth powder, toothpaste, wash, washing