Washwater

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A fluid employed in the cleaning process, often mixed with detergents, that facilitates the removal of unwanted substances while gathering impurities during use
2. A solution made up of water and cleaning agents that helps in eliminating dirt, which may itself accumulate residues from the objects being washed
3. A liquid mixture used in cleaning tasks that aids in the removal of contaminants while simultaneously collecting debris and particles from the surfaces involved

Etymology: Washwater is about as transparent as compounds get: it is simply "wash" paired with "water," the water used for washing. The word is a plain union of two very old English words, and its meaning stays close to the literal sense of those parts. Water that has been used to wash something carries away whatever came off the surface, so the compound names the liquid by its job and by the dirt it now holds.

Synonyms: rinsing water