detersiveadj.n.
/dɪˈtəːsɪv/ A. adj.
1. Having the quality of cleansing or scouring; tending to cleanse.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > [adjective]
cleansinga1300
mundifying1579
scouring1594
detergent1600
detersive1601
abstersory1609
abstergent1617
thorough-cleansing1642
deterging1651
smegmatic1656
extersive1657
tersive1667
smectic1676
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 37 The same pouder is detersiue and scouring, and therefore put into sope and washing-balls.
1756 P. Browne Civil & Nat. Hist. Jamaica ii. ii. 226 The foliage of the tree is of a very detersive nature, and frequently used to scour and whiten the floors.
1835 F. Mahony Rel. Father Prout (1859) 509 The recording angel..no doubt dropped a detersive tear on an oath the decided offspring of monomania.
1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 7 Aug. 3/2 Without experience of the detersive influences of common soap.
2. Medicine and Surgery. Having power to cleanse or purge the body, or to remove corrupt matter from a sore; detergent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > cleansing or expelling medicines > [adjective]
cleansinga1300
mundificativea1400
mundicative1575
detersive1586
detergent1600
deterging1651
depleting1807
depletory1849
eliminant1853
exipotic1856
depletive1885
1586 T. Bright Treat. Melancholie xli. 284 No detersiue medicine is able to pare & wipe away the blemish.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Detersive Medicines, are such as are used to cleanse the Body from sluggish, viscous, and glutinous Humours.
1782 W. F. Martyn Geogr. Mag. 1 734 Laying open the wound, and applying a detersive plaister.
1818 Cooper & Travers Surg. Ess. (ed. 3) i. 167 Stimulant detersive applications which have been made to the part.
B. n.
A cleansing agent: in the general and medical senses.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > [noun] > cleaning agent
smegmatic1623
detersive1634
deterger1651
detersory1657
abstergent1658
detergent1676
freshener1876
1634 T. Johnson tr. A. Paré Chirurg. Wks. xxvi. xiv. 1044 Neither..with a painfull and dry ulcer doth any other than a liquid detersive agree.
1665 G. Harvey Disc. Plague 26 A Dysentery is stopt by a Detersive mixt with a Narcotick.
1756 P. Browne Civil & Nat. Hist. Jamaica ii. ii. 199 The pulp is a warm pungent detersive.
1843 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 53 228 Serving as detersives of the grosser humours of commercial life.
1862 S. Lucas Secularia 114 (note) Bristol was celebrated for its soap..Richard of Devizes refers in his history to its manufacture of this famous detersive.
Derivatives
deˈtersiveness n.
ΚΠ
1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Detersiveness, cleansing Quality.
Also 1775 in J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. ]
deˈtersively adv.
ΚΠ
1742 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Detersively, cleansingly.
Also 1864 in Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. , etc. ]
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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adj.n.1586