Detergencies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Substances or agents that cleanse by removing dirt, grease, or stains from materials or surfaces; chemicals designed to enhance cleaning effectiveness; compounds used in washing to promote the breakdown and removal of unwanted substances
2. Chemical compounds that act to break up and carry away grime and oils during cleaning processes; agents that facilitate the elimination of impurities from fabrics, dishes, or surfaces; materials employed to improve washing and sanitation
3. Cleaning agents formulated to disperse and lift soils or contaminants; substances that assist in the removal of dirt and oily substances through washing action; compounds used in both household and industrial cleansing tasks to ensure cleanliness

Etymology: "Detergencies" is simply the plural of "detergency," a noun meaning the quality or power of cleansing, and by extension the cleansing agents themselves. The plural form is the one that carries the sense of specific substances, so a chemist might speak of the detergencies in a formulation, while the singular names the general property of cleansing.

Synonyms: cleaning agents, detergents, soaps, cleansers, surfactants

Antonyms: dirt, grime, soil, filth, contamination