detergent

[dih-tur-juh nt]

noun

any of a group of synthetic, organic, liquid or water-soluble cleaning agents that, unlike soap, are not prepared from fats and oils, are not inactivated by hard water, and have wetting-agent and emulsifying-agent properties.

a similar substance that is oil-soluble and capable of holding insoluble foreign matter in suspension, used in lubricating oils, dry-cleaning preparations, etc.

any cleansing agent, including soap.Compare anionic detergent, cationic detergent, synthetic detergent.

adjective

cleansing; purging.

Origin of detergent

1610–20; (< F) < Latin dētergent- (stem of dētergēns) wiping off (present participle of dētergēre). See deterge, -ent

Related formsnon·de·ter·gent, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for non-detergent

detergent

noun

a cleansing agent, esp a surface-active chemical such as an alkyl sulphonate, widely used in industry, laundering, shampoos, etc

adjective Also: detersive (dɪˈtɜːsɪv)

having cleansing power

Word Origin for detergent

C17: from Latin dētergēns wiping off; see deterge

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

Word Origin and History for non-detergent

detergent

"detergent substance," 1670s, from detergent (adj.).

detergent

adj.

1610s, from Latin detergentem (nominative detergens), present participle of detergere "to wipe away, cleanse," from de- "off, away" (see de-) + tergere "to rub, polish, wipe." Originally a medical term, application to "chemical cleansing product" is from 1938.

non-detergent in Medicine

detergent

[dĭ-tûr′jənt]

n.

A cleansing substance that acts similarly to soap but is made from chemical compounds rather than fats and lye.

adj.

Having cleansing power.

non-detergent in Science

detergent

[dĭ-tûr′jənt]

A cleaning agent that increases the ability of water to penetrate fabric and break down greases and dirt. Detergents act like soap but, unlike soaps, they are derived from organic acids rather than fatty acids. Their molecules surround particles of grease and dirt, allowing them to be carried away. Compare soap.