Definition of Detergent

1. Adjective. Having cleansing power.

Exact synonyms: Detersive
Similar to: Purifying
Derivative terms: Deterge, Detergence, Detergency, Deterge

2. Noun. A surface-active chemical widely used in industry and laundering.

3. Noun. A cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension.

Definition of Detergent

1. a. Cleansing; purging.

Definition of Detergent

1. Noun. Any non-soap cleaning agent, especially a synthetic surfactant. ¹

2. Adjective. Having the power to clean. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Detergent

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Detergent

1. An agent which purifies or cleanses. Amphipathic, surface active, molecules with polar (water soluble) and nonpolar hydrophobic) domains. They bind strongly to hydrophobic molecules or molecular domains to confer water solubility. Examples include: sodium dodecyl sulphate, fatty acid salts, the Triton family, octyl glycoside. Origin: L. Detergere = to cleanse This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Detergent

detention house
detentions
detentist
detentists
detents
detenu
detenue
detenues
detenus
deter
deterge
deterged
detergence
detergencies
detergency
detergent (current term)
detergent builder
detergents
deterger
detergers
deterges
deterging
deteriorate
deteriorated
deteriorates
deteriorating
deterioratingly
deterioration
deteriorationism
deteriorationist

Literary usage of Detergent

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Keeping It Clean: Removing Exterior Dirt, Paint, Stains and Graffiti from by Anne E. Grimmer (1992)
"Low-Pressure and Medium-Pressure Water Washing with detergent Supplement The best combination of prolonged spraying or dripping, low-to-medium-pressure ..."

2. Journal of the American Chemical Society by American Chemical Society (1879)
"Table П. Effect of Added Salts upon the detergent-Catalyzed Hydrolysis of 2 ... Although the detergent effects do not change markedly with temperature the ..."

3. American Soaps: A Complete Treatise on the Manufacture of Soap, with Special by Henry Gathmann (1893)
"Various detergent Substances: Besides soap, a number of various detergent substances possessing cleansing properties have been used for detergent purposes, ..."

4. The Soap Maker's Handbook of Materials, Processes and Receipts for Every by Carl Deite, Alwin Engelhardt, F. Wiltner (1912)
"Kobbe says: " The detergent action of soap is due to the fact that the ... According to Rotondi, the detergent action of soaps depends on the fact that they ..."

5. Edinburgh Medical Journal (1879)
"detergent and disinfectant injections are meanwhile to be carefully employed. MONTHLY REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THERAPEUTICS. By WILLIAM CRAIG, MD, FRSE, ..."

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