detersive

[dih-tur-siv]

adjective

cleansing; detergent.

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noun

a detersive agent or medicine.

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Origin of detersive

1580–90; < Middle French détersif < Latin dēters(us) (past participle of dētergēre; see deterge) + -if -ive

Related formsde·ter·sive·ly, adverbde·ter·sive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for detersive

Historical Examples

A preparation from the choicest Oriental Herbs, of peculiarly mild and detersive properties.
The Overland Guide-book
James Barber