detergent
UK: dɪˈtɜːdʒənt | US: dɪˈtɜːrdʒənt
n. a chemical substance used to remove dirt, grease, or stains from surfaces.
adj. having the property of cleaning or purifying.
The word "detergent" originates from Latin detergere, meaning "to wipe away." The morpheme de- signifies "away," while terg- derives from tergere ("to wipe"). The suffix -ent forms adjectives indicating a state or action. Historically, the term evolved to describe substances that "wipe away" dirt, reflecting its modern cleaning function.
This detergent effectively removes tough stains from fabrics.
She prefers eco-friendly detergents for washing dishes.
The lab uses a special detergent to clean glassware.
Avoid mixing bleach with other detergents.
His research focuses on developing biodegradable detergents.