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| wash [ wosh, wawsh ] |
verb (past and past participle washed, present participle wash·ing, 3rd person present singular wash·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb clean something: to clean something with water, usually with added soap or detergent
  He washed his hair.
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2. transitive and intransitive verb clean yourself: to clean yourself, especially your hands or face, with soap and water
went upstairs to wash before supper
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3. intransitive verb wash clothes: to clean clothes in soap and water or in a washing machine
spent the morning washing
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4. intransitive verb be washable: to be capable of being washed without fading or being damaged
(
refers to garments or fabrics
)
curtains that wash well
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5. transitive and intransitive verb lick something clean: to clean something by licking
The cat washed her kittens.
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6. transitive and intransitive verb remove something by washing: to remove something with water and usually with soap, or be removed in this way
couldn't get the stain to wash out
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7. transitive verb moisten something: to wet or moisten something
(
literary
)
lashes washed with tears
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8. transitive verb flow over something: to flow over the surface of something
washed by the tides
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9. transitive verb erode something with water: to erode something by the action of water
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10. transitive verb move something on water: to carry something along or away on water, or in a way that resembles the action of water
A huge wave washed her over the side.
He was washed along by the huge crowd.
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11. transitive verb purify something: to remove something corrupting
the power to wash away sins
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12. transitive verb mineral extract separate something by washing: to separate something such as precious stones or valuable minerals by sifting ore or gravel through water
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13. transitive verb apply thin coating to something: to brush a thin coating or layer over something
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14. intransitive verb be convincing: to be convincing or believable
(
informal
)
That story won't wash.
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15. transitive verb chemistry put gas through liquid: to pass a gas or vapor through a liquid to remove contaminants
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noun (plural wash·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. act of washing: the act or process of washing somebody or something
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2. quantity of clothes: a quantity of clothes that have been or are to be washed
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3. skin treatment: a lotion, antiseptic, or cosmetic that is applied to the skin
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4. manufacturing thin liquid coating: a thin or weak liquid, especially one used to rinse or coat something
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5. graphic arts layer of color: a thin layer of color applied with a brush
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6. graphic arts painting technique: the technique of using washes in painting
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7. graphic arts
Same as wash drawing
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8. flow of water: the flow of water against a surface, or the sound made by this
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9. surge of disturbed water or air: the surge of disturbed water, air, or other fluid caused by something such as an oar, propeller, or jet engine moving through the fluid
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10. agriculture removal of soil: the removal of soil by the action of flowing water
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11. geology sediment: alluvial material carried and left by the movement of water. When washed down the side of a mountain, the sediment forms fans and cone-shaped deposits.
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12. geography land periodically covered by water: land that is periodically covered by a sea or river, e.g. by a tide
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13. mineral extract ore: material from which precious stones and valuable minerals can be extracted by washing, e.g. gravel
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14. U.K. agriculture
Same as swilln (sense 1)
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15. beverages fermented malt: the liquor from fermented malt before it is distilled
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16. Southwestern U.S. dry stream bed: the dry bed of a stream that flows only after heavy rains, often found at the bottom of a canyon
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17. U.S. even outcome: a situation in which the losses and gains are balanced
(
informal
)
We sold a lot at the crafts fair, but our expenses were so high that in the end it was a wash.
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| [ Old English wæscan< Germanic] |
