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detergent
[ dih-tur-juhnt ]
noun
- any of a group of synthetic, organic, liquid or water-soluble cleaning agents that, unlike soap, are not prepared from fats and oils, are not inactivated by hard water, and have wetting-agent and emulsifying-agent properties.
- a similar substance that is oil-soluble and capable of holding insoluble foreign matter in suspension, used in lubricating oils, dry-cleaning preparations, etc.
- any cleansing agent, including soap. Compare anionic detergent, cationic detergent, synthetic detergent.
adjective
- cleansing; purging.
detergent
/ dɪˈtɜːdʒənt /
noun
- a cleansing agent, esp a surface-active chemical such as an alkyl sulphonate, widely used in industry, laundering, shampoos, etc
adjective
- having cleansing power
detergent
/ dĭ-tûr′jənt /
- A cleaning agent that increases the ability of water to penetrate fabric and break down greases and dirt. Detergents act like soap but, unlike soaps, they are derived from organic acids rather than fatty acids. Their molecules surround particles of grease and dirt, allowing them to be carried away.
- Compare soap
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Other Words From
- nonde·tergent adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of detergent1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of detergent1
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Example Sentences
A new report says laundry detergent pods are sending 20,000 kids to the hospital each year.
I now see that by the standards of modern American society, I do something comparable to concocting my own laundry detergent.
He swore under his breath and twisted the valve that was supposed to dispense detergent.
He was thoroughly wet with the stuff and no amount of water and detergent would take it off.
Hot water is itself a detergent; that is, it has the power of dissolving dirt.
Such soap possesses very powerful detergent qualities, but it is apt to feel hard and be somewhat gritty in use.
Its detergent action is sometimes supposed to be due to the free alkali, whereas a well-made soap is practically neutral.
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