释义 |
abstergent, a. and n.|æbˈstɜːdʒənt| [? a. Fr. abstergent (16th c.), ad. L. abstergent-em pr. pple. of abstergē-re; see prec. Perhaps f. the Lat. direct.] A. adj. Cleansing, scouring, having a cleansing quality.
1612Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. 1653, 37 Honey..hath an abstergent or cleansing force. 1830Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 162 Abstergent properties, mixed sometimes with a good deal of acridity, distinguish them [the house-leek tribe]. 1860J. P. Kennedy Life of W. Wirt II. ix. 149 The abstergent, bracing, exhilarating touch of a sea-bath after a hot day. B. n. [sc. agent or substance.]
1751Chambers Cyc. Abstergents or Abstersive medicines..abrade and wipe away such mucous particles as they meet in their passage, and thus cleanse the parts from viscid, or impure adhesions. 1859R. F. Burton in Jrnl. R.G.S. XXIX. 323/3 One reason perhaps which causes them to avoid heavy and close-fitting clothing is their want of abstergents. |