detersive, a. and n.
(dɪˈtɜːsɪv)
[a. F. détersif, -ive (1545 in Hatzf.), ad. medical L. dētersīv-us, f. dēters-, ppl. stem of dētergēre: see prec. and -ive.]
A. adj.
1. Having the quality of cleansing or scouring; tending to cleanse.
| 1601 Holland Pliny II. 37 The same pouder is detersiue and scouring, and therefore put into sope and washing-balls. 1756 P. Browne Jamaica 226 The foliage of the tree is of a very detersive character, and frequently used to scour and whiten the floors. 1835 F. Mahoney 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 G. 7 Aug. 3/2 Without experience of the detersive influences of common soap. |
2. Med. and Surg. Having power to cleanse or purge the body, or to remove corrupt matter from a sore; detergent.
| 1586 Bright Melanch. xli. 276 No detersive medicine is able to pare and wipe away the blemish. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn., Detersive Medicines, are such as are used to cleanse the Body from sluggish, viscous, and glutinous Humours. 1782 W. F. Martyn Geog. Mag. I. 734 Laying open the wound, and applying a detersive plaister. 1818 Cooper & Travers Surg. Ess. i. (ed. 3) 167 Stimulant detersive applications which have been made to the part. |
B. n. A cleansing agent: in the general and medical senses.
| 1634 T. Johnson Parey's Chirurg. xxvi. xiv. (1678) 638 Neither..with a painful and drie ulcer doth any other than a liquid detersive agree. 1665 G. Harvey Adv. agst. Plague 26 A Dysentery is stopt by a Detersive mixt with a Narcotick. 1756 P. Browne Jamaica 199 The pulp is a warm pungent detersive. 1843 Blackw. Mag. LIII. 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. |
Hence deˈtersively adv., deˈtersiveness.
| 1727 Bailey vol. II, Detersiveness, cleansing Quality. [Also 1775 in Ash]. 1742 Bailey, Detersively, cleansingly. [Also 1864 in Webster, etc.] |