deterge

[ dih-turj ]
/ dɪˈtɜrdʒ /

verb (used with object), de·terged, de·terg·ing.

to wipe or wash away; cleanse.
to cleanse of impurities or undesirable matter, as a wound.

Origin of deterge

1615–25; (< F) < Latin dētergēre to wipe off, equivalent to dē- de- + tergēre to wipe

OTHER WORDS FROM deterge

de·ter·gen·cy, noun

Words nearby deterge

detention, detention camp, detention centre, detention home, deter, deterge, detergency, detergent, deteriorate, deterioration, determinable

British Dictionary definitions for detergency (1 of 2)

detergency

detergence

/ (dɪˈtɜːdʒənsɪ) /

noun

cleansing power

British Dictionary definitions for detergency (2 of 2)

deterge
/ (dɪˈtɜːdʒ) /

verb

(tr) to wash or wipe away; cleanse to deterge a wound

Word Origin for deterge

C17: from Latin dētergēre to wipe away, from de- + tergēre to wipe