wash
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1wash
verb \ˈwȯsh, ˈwäsh, chiefly Midland also ˈwȯrsh or ˈwärsh\Definition of WASH
transitive verb
1
a : to cleanse by or as if by the action of liquid (as water) b : to remove (as dirt) by rubbing or drenching with liquid
2
: to cleanse (fur) by licking or by rubbing with a paw moistened with saliva
3
4
: to flow along or dash or overflow against <waves washing the shore>
5
: to move, carry, or deposit by or as if by the force of water in motion <houses washed away by the flood>
6
a : to subject (as crushed ore) to the action of water to separate valuable material b : to separate (particles) from a substance (as ore) by agitation with or in water c (1) : to pass through a bath to carry off impurities or soluble components (2) : to pass (a gas or gaseous mixture) through or over a liquid to purify it especially by removing soluble components
7
a : to cover or daub lightly with or as if with an application of a thin liquid (as whitewash or varnish) b : to depict or paint by a broad sweep of thin color with a brush
8
: to cause to swirl <washing coffee around in his cup>
9
: launder 3 <how the mob washes its money through corrupt bankers — Vincent Teresa>
intransitive verb
1
: to wash oneself or a part of one's body
2
: to become worn away by the action of water
3
: to clean something by rubbing or dipping in water
4
a : to become carried along on water : drift <cakes of ice washing along> b : to pour, sweep, or flow in a stream or current <waves of pioneers washing westward — Green Peyton>
5
: to serve as a cleansing agent <this soap washes thoroughly>
6
a : to undergo laundering <this dress doesn't wash well> b (1) : to undergo testing successfully : work 4 <an interesting theory, but it just won't wash> (2) : to gain acceptance : inspire belief <the story didn't wash with me>
— wash one's hands of
: to disclaim interest in, responsibility for, or further connection with
See Examples of WASH
- We have to wash the dishes.
- Did you wash your hands?
- The flooding washed sand and silt all over the area.
- The pollution washes into rivers from nearby factories.
- Water washed over the deck of the ship.
- Waves washed up onto the beach.
Origin of WASH
Middle English, from Old English wascan; akin to Old High German waskan to wash and perhaps to Old English wæter water
First Known Use: before 12th century
2wash
nounDefinition of WASH
1
2
a : the act or process or an instance of washing or being washed b : articles to be washed, being washed, or having been washed
3
: the surging action or sound of waves; also : something resembling this action or sound <the warm wash of applause that followed her … introduction — John Updike>
4
5
a : a sweep or splash especially of color made by or as if by a long stroke of a brush <in the gray wash of early morning> b : a thin coat of paint (as watercolor) c : a thin liquid used for coating a surface (as a wall)
6
: lotion
7
: loose or eroded surface material of the earth (as rock debris) transported and deposited by running water
8
a : backwash 1 b : a disturbance in a fluid (as water or the air) produced by the passage of an airfoil or propeller
9
: a situation in which losses and gains or advantages and disadvantages balance each other
Examples of WASH
- My jeans are in the wash.
- We could hear the wash of the waves against the rocks.
- The wash from speedboats is dangerous for swimmers.
First Known Use of WASH
15th century
Related to WASH
Other Geology Terms
3wash
adjectiveDefinition of WASH
1
: involving essentially simultaneous purchase and sale of the same security <spurious market activity resulting from wash trading>
2
: washable <wash fabric>
First Known Use of WASH
1848
Wash
abbreviationDefinition of WASH
Learn More About WASH
Seen & Heard 
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