/ dɪˈtɜːdʒənt; NAmE -ˈtɜːrdʒ-/ noun
[ U , C ] a liquid or powder that helps remove dirt, for example from clothes or dishes
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent. (as an adjective): from Latin detergent- wiping away, from the verb detergere , from de- away from + tergere to wipe.