abstergent

[ ab-stur-juhnt ]

adjective

1. cleansing.
2. purgative.

noun

1. a cleansing agent, as a detergent or soap.

abstergent

/ əbˈstɜːdʒənt /

adjective

1. cleansing or scouring

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstergent¹

1605–15; < Latin abstergent-, stem of abstergēns, present participle of abstergēre to wipe off, equivalent to abs- abs- + tergēre to wipe; -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstergent¹

C17: from Latin abstergent-, abstērgens wiping off, from abs- away, off + tergēre to wipe

Related Words

• deodorant
• detergent
• purifier
• soap