Mouthwashes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A liquid solution used for oral hygiene to rinse the mouth and help reduce bacteria and plaque
2. A product formulated to freshen breath while potentially delivering therapeutic benefits for gums and teeth
3. A hygienic rinse typically containing antiseptics or fluoride aimed at promoting overall dental health and cleanliness

Etymology: The word is a plural, so the core story is simply that of "mouthwash," a compound of two very old English words. "Mouth" comes from Old English "mūþ," which traces back through Proto-Germanic to a root shared with many European languages, and "wash" comes from Old English "wascan," a verb meaning to cleanse with water. Put together, the compound describes exactly what it sounds like: a liquid used to wash the mouth. Since the plural simply pluralises the noun, the word's history is the same as that of "mouthwash." The compound is transparent, with no metaphor or shift in meaning hiding behind it, so the most useful thing to know is that both halves were already common, native English vocabulary long before the product existed.

Synonyms: oral rinses, mouth rinses