Washcloth

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈwɒʃ.klɒθ/

Definitions

1. A piece of absorbent fabric commonly utilized during bathing or for cleaning purposes, typically made from cotton or a soft material
2. An absorbent textile often employed for personal cleansing or dishwashing, generally made of cotton fibers for better scrubbing
3. A small piece of fabric used to clean the skin or surfaces, typically in bathing or washing tasks

Etymology: A washcloth is about as plain as compounds get: "wash" joined to "cloth," with the two parts keeping their ordinary meanings. The "wash" element comes from Old English "wascan," the verb for cleansing with water, while "cloth" traces back to Old English "clāth," a piece of woven fabric. Put together, the name describes exactly what the object is for, a cloth used for washing the body or face. The compound's meaning stays literal, which makes it a useful contrast with words that drift far from their parts. Nothing in the name has been reshaped by sound change or redirected to a new sense, and the object itself is simply what the two words say it is.

Synonyms: face cloth, wash rag, face towel