n.
Pronunciation: ' wo ̇ sh, ' wäsh, chiefly Midland also ' wo ̇ rsh or ' wärsh
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wascan; akin to Old High German waskan to wash and perhaps to Old English wæter water
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to cleanse by or as if by the action of liquid (as water) b : to remove (as dirt) by rubbing or drenching with liquid
2 : to cleanse (fur) by licking or by rubbing with a paw moistened with saliva
3 a : to flush or moisten (a bodily part or injury) with a liquid b (1) : to wet thoroughly : DRENCH (2) : to overspread with light : SUFFUSE c : to pass a liquid (as water) over or through especially so as to carry off material from the surface or interior
4 : to flow along or dash or overflow against <waves wash ing the shore>
5 : to move, carry, or deposit by or as if by the force of water in motion <houses wash ed away by the flood>
6 a : to subject (as crushed ore) to the action of water to separate valuable material b : to separate (particles) from a substance (as ore) by agitation with or in water c (1) : to pass through a bath to carry off impurities or soluble components (2) : to pass (a gas or gaseous mixture) through or over a liquid to purify it especially by removing soluble components
7 a : to cover or daub lightly with or as if with an application of a thin liquid (as whitewash or varnish) b : to depict or paint by a broad sweep of thin color with a brush
8 : to cause to swirl < wash ing coffee around in his cup>
9 : LAUNDER 3 <how the mob wash es its money through corrupt bankers ― Vincent Teresa>
intransitive verb
1 : to wash oneself or a part of one's body
2 : to become worn away by the action of water
3 : to clean something by rubbing or dipping in water
4 a : to become carried along on water : DRIFT <cakes of ice wash ing along> b : to pour, sweep, or flow in a stream or current <waves of pioneers wash ing westward ― Green Peyton>
5 : to serve as a cleansing agent <this soap wash es thoroughly>
6 a : to undergo laundering <this dress doesn't wash well> b (1) : to undergo testing successfully : WORK 4 <an interesting theory, but it just won't wash > (2) : to gain acceptance : inspire belief <the story didn't wash with me>
– wash one's hands of : to disclaim interest in, responsibility for, or further connection with