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definitions

abstergent

[ab-stur-juh nt]
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abstergent ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

cleansing.
purgative.

noun

a cleansing agent, as a detergent or soap.

RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

  1. abstain,
  2. abstainer,
  3. abstemious,
  4. abstention,
  5. abstentionism,
  6. abstersive,
  7. abstinence,
  8. abstinence syndrome,
  9. abstinence theory,
  10. abstinent

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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for abstergent

abstergent

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