Detergent
/dɪˈtɜːr.dʒənt/noun
A substance used to remove dirt, grease, or impurities from surfaces.
Did you know?Detergent comes from the Latin verb detergēre, meaning “to wipe away” or “clean off,” and its earliest English use described something that cleanses or purges.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*terg-
“To rub, wipe, or scrape away”
Classical Latin
Latin
tergēre
“To wipe, rub clean, or remove by wiping”
Classical Latin
Latin
dētergēre
“To wipe away or cleanse; dē- means “away””
Late Latin
Latin
dētergēns
“Wiping away; the present participle of dētergēre”
17th Century
English
detergent
“Having cleansing or purging power”
Modern English
English
detergent
“A chemical cleaning agent that removes dirt and grease”