a. and sb. [? a. Fr. abstergent (16th c.), ad. L. abstergent-em pr. pple. of abstergē-re; see prec. Perhaps f. the Lat. direct.]
A. adj. Cleansing, scouring, having a cleansing quality.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. 1653, 37. Honey … hath an abstergent or cleansing force.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 162. Abstergent properties, mixed sometimes with a good deal of acridity, distinguish them [the house-leek tribe].
1860. J. P. Kennedy, Life of W. Wirt, II. ix. 149. The abstergent, bracing, exhilarating touch of a sea-bath after a hot day.
B. sb. [sc. agent or substance.]
1751. Chambers, Cycl. Abstergents or Abstersive medicines … abrade and wipe away such mucous particles as they meet in their passage, and thus cleanse the parts from viscid, or impure adhesions.
1859. R. F. Burton, in Jrnl. R. G. S., XXIX. 323/3. One reason perhaps which causes them to avoid heavy and close-fitting clothing is their want of abstergents.
