detergent Hear it!

detergent definition

de·ter·gent (dē tʉr′jənt, di-)

adjective

cleansing

Etymology: L detergens, prp. of detergere: see deterge

noun

a cleansing substance; specif., a surface-active chemical preparation, as, now esp., a linear alkyl sulfonate, that is capable of emulsifying dirt or oil

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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