deterge
[dih-
turj
]
/dɪˈtɜrdʒ/
verb (used with object)
,
deterged,
deterging.
1.
to wipe or wash away; cleanse.
2.
to cleanse of impurities or undesirable matter, as a wound.
Origin
1615-25;
(< F) <
Latin
dētergēre
to wipe off, equivalent to
dē-
de-
+
tergēre
to wipe
Related forms
detergency,
noun
British Dictionary definitions for
deterge
deterge
/
dɪˈtɜːdʒ
/
verb
1.
(
transitive
) to wash or wipe away; cleanse:
to deterge a wound
Word Origin
C17: from Latin
dētergēre
to wipe away, from
de-
+
tergēre
to wipe
Word Origin and History for
deterge
v.
1620s, from French
déterger
(16c.), from Latin
detergere
(see
detergent
).