Noun Abstergent Definition and Examples

1.

adjective

Having a cleansing or abrading quality; cleansing, abrading (literal, especially with reference to the body, and figurative).

noun

A cleansing or abrading agent, especially one used on the body.

((n.) A substance used in cleansing; a detergent; as, soap is an abstergent.)

Early 17th century; earliest use found in John Woodall (1570–1643), surgeon. From French abstergent, adjective or its etymon classical Latin abstergent-, abstergēns, present participle of abstergēre absterge. With use as noun compare post-classical Latin abstergentia, neuter plural. Compare Spanish abstergente, Italian astergente.