detergent

Definition

Any non-soap cleaning agent, especially a synthetic surfactant.

Etymology

From French détergent, from Latin dētergēns, the present participle of dētergeō, from dē (“off”) + tergeō (“wipe, polish”).

Example Sentences

• "Near-synonym: cleaner (sometimes coordinate)"
• "laundry detergent"
• "liquid detergent"

Related Words