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detergent

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de⋅ter⋅gent

[di-tur-juhnt]
–noun
1. 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.
2. a similar substance that is oil-soluble and capable of holding insoluble foreign matter in suspension, used in lubricating oils, dry-cleaning preparations, etc.
3. any cleansing agent, including soap. Compare anionic detergent, cationic detergent, synthetic detergent.
–adjective
4. cleansing; purging.

Origin:
1610–20; (< F) < L dētergent- (s. of dētergēns) wiping off (prp. of dētergēre). See deterge, -ent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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de·ter·gent   (dĭ-tûr'jənt)   
n.  A cleansing substance that acts similarly to soap but is made from chemical compounds rather than fats and lye.
adj.  Having cleansing power.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

detergent 
1616, from L. detergentem, prp. of detergere "to wipe away," from de- "off, away" + tergere "to rub, polish, wipe." Originally a medical term, application to "chemical cleansing product" is from 1938.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1de·ter·gent
Pronunciation: di-'t&r-j&nt
Function: adjective
: having a cleansing action

Main Entry: 2detergent
Function: noun
: a cleansing agent: as a : SOAP 1 b : any of numerous synthetic water-soluble or liquid organic preparations that are chemically different from soaps but are able to emulsify oils, hold dirt in suspension, and act aswetting agents
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

detergent de·ter·gent (dĭ-tûr'jənt)
n.
A cleansing substance that acts similarly to soap but is made from chemical compounds rather than fats and lye. adj.
Having cleansing power.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
detergent   (dĭ-tûr'jənt)  Pronunciation Key 
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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