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abstergent

[ ab-stur-juhnt ]
/ æbˈstɜr dʒənt /
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See synonyms for abstergent on Thesaurus.com
adjective
cleansing.
purgative.
noun
a cleansing agent, as a detergent or soap.
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Origin of abstergent

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

Words nearby abstergent

abstain, abstainer, abstemious, abstention, abstentionism, abstergent, abstersive, abstinence, abstinence syndrome, abstinence theory, abstr.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to abstergent

deodorant, detergent, purifier, soap, abrasive, antiseptic, cathartic, fumigant, lather, polish, purgative, scourer, suds, soap powder

British Dictionary definitions for abstergent

abstergent
/ (əbˈstɜːdʒənt) /
adjective
cleansing or scouring

Word Origin for abstergent

C17: from Latin abstergent-, abstērgens wiping off, from abs- away, off + tergēre to wipe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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