I. -jənt adjective
Date: 1616
: that cleanses : cleansing
a detergent oil
II. noun
Date: 1676
: a cleansing agent: as
a. : soap
b. : any of numerous synthetic water-soluble or liquid organic preparations that are chemically different from soaps but are able to emulsify oils, hold dirt in suspension, and act as wetting agents
c. : an oil-soluble substance that holds insoluble foreign matter in suspension and is used in lubricating oils and dry-cleaning solvents