eyewash

[ahy-wosh, ahy-wawsh]

noun

1. Also called collyrium. Pharmacology.,  a solution applied locally to the eye for irrigation or administering medication.

2. Informal.,  nonsense; bunk.

eyewash

/ ˈaɪˌwɒʃ /

noun

1. a mild solution for applying to the eyes for relief of irritation, etc

2. informal,  nonsense; rubbish

Word History and Origins

Origin of eyewash¹

First recorded in 1865–70; eye + wash

Example Sentences

L&I initially found Amazon’s Spokane warehouse didn’t have enough eyewash stations to protect employees if they did get a chemical in their eyes.

Read more on Seattle Times

But Smith’s thumb-pointing, both in the aftermath of the game and retrospectively throughout this week, isn’t just eyewash.

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In particular, Newsom called out workplace regulations that require “providing an eyewash station if household workers use chemicals like bleach.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Under this legislation, private households would be required to provide eyewash stations if workers use bleach and could face fines up to $15,000 per safety violation.

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But getting ejected to stick up for your players is little bit of “eyewash,” particularly if it goes against your typical personality.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• baloney 
• rubbish