detergent

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de·ter·gent / diˈtərjənt/ • n. a water-soluble cleansing agent that combines with impurities and dirt to make them more soluble and differs from soap in not forming a scum with the salts in hard water. ∎  any additive with a similar action, e.g., an oil-soluble substance that holds dirt in suspension in lubricating oil.• adj. of or relating to such compounds or their action: staining that resists detergent action.DERIVATIVES: de·ter·gence n.de·ter·gen·cy n.

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