Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- intransitive verb To cleanse, using water or other liquid, usually with soap, detergent, or bleach, by immersing, dipping, rubbing, or scrubbing.
- intransitive verb To soak, rinse out, and remove (dirt or stain) with water or other liquid.
- intransitive verb To make moist or wet; drench.
- intransitive verb To flow over, against, or past.
- intransitive verb To carry, erode, remove, or destroy by the action of moving water.
- intransitive verb To rid of corruption or guilt; cleanse or purify.
- intransitive verb To cover or coat with a watery layer of paint or other coloring substance.
- intransitive verb To purify (a gas) by passing through or over a liquid, as to remove soluble matter.
- intransitive verb To pass a solvent, such as distilled water, through (a precipitate).
- intransitive verb To separate constituents of (an ore) by immersion in or agitation with water.
- intransitive verb To cause to undergo a swirling action.
- intransitive verb To cleanse something in or by means of water or other liquid.
- intransitive verb To undergo washing without fading or other damage.
- intransitive verb Informal To hold up under examination; be convincing.
- intransitive verb To flow, sweep, or beat with a characteristic lapping sound.
- intransitive verb To be carried away, removed, or drawn by the action of water.
- noun The act or process of washing or cleansing.
- noun A quantity of articles washed or intended for washing.
- noun Waste liquid; swill.
- noun Fermented liquid from which liquor is distilled.
- noun A preparation or product used in washing or coating.
- noun A cosmetic or medicinal liquid, such as a mouthwash.
- noun A thin layer of watercolor or India ink spread on a drawing.
- noun A light tint or hue.
- noun A rush or surge of water or waves.
- noun The sound of this rush or surge.
- noun Removal or erosion of soil by the action of moving water.
- noun A deposit of recently eroded debris.
- noun Low or marshy ground washed by tidal waters.
- noun A stretch of shallow water.
- noun Western US The dry bed of a stream.
- noun Turbulence in air or water caused by the motion or action of an oar, propeller, jet, or airfoil.
- noun Informal An activity, action, or enterprise that yields neither marked gain nor marked loss.
- adjective Used for washing.
- adjective Being such that washing is possible; washable.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Then a throbbing in his head and a sensation of smarting assailed him, but he did not stir, for his legs were cramped; and _wash, wash, wash_, the waters were sweeping along nearly to his chest.
The Queen's Scarlet The Adventures and Misadventures of Sir Richard Frayne George Manville Fenn 1870
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My mom took in wash from the brothels in Searchlight, so I have some idea of what it's like to struggle.
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My mom took in wash from the brothels in Searchlight, so I have some idea of what it's like to struggle.
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This area is what we refer to as a wash, meaning it is a place that is -- I guess you could say it's kind of a roadway for heavy rainwater, for floodwaters to go through and then move out towards the open ground, out towards the desert, and then dissipate.
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And I remember mighty well; I was janitoring at that time at what they called the wash house down there.
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"Mammy's rheumatism is mighty bad, but she can still shake up corn ash cake and chicken hash with the best," said Sam, coming over to warm his hands and tower above us, while Byrd volunteered to lead Dr. Chubb out to what he called the wash-up bench on the back porch.
Over Paradise Ridge A Romance Maria Thompson Daviess 1898
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Next day the troops returned to Suakim, and Sutherland, after breakfast, and what he called a wash-up, went to see his friend Sergeant Hardy, with pen, ink, and paper.
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I'm finally down on the main wash, you should see me on the Spot.
Todd Carmichael: First Three Days in Death Valley Todd Carmichael 2010
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When you get down the main wash at the final corner you see Death Valley.
Todd Carmichael: First Three Days in Death Valley Todd Carmichael 2010
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When you get down the main wash at the final corner you see Death Valley.
Todd Carmichael: First Three Days in Death Valley Todd Carmichael 2010
picklechipsluva5 commented on the word wash
I absolutely hate it with a burning passion when people say warsh. Ughhhh...
November 2, 2007
rocksinmypockets commented on the word wash
It's a regional thing. Warsh is more commonly heard than wash in north central Illinois. At least in my own personal experience.
My grandma always said warsh, so I'm rather fond of it, myself.
November 2, 2007
sionnach commented on the word wash
I think that "warsh' for "wash" is just a manifestation of the universal law of conservation of consonants. All those 'r's gone AWOL from pahking the cah in Hahvahd yahd had to show up somewhere. It is believed that they heeded Horace Greeley's exhortation to "go west", following the manifest destiny of consonants, and ended up in Illinois.
November 2, 2007
skipvia commented on the word wash
*sound of jaw hitting the floor in rapt amazement*
November 2, 2007
rocksinmypockets commented on the word wash
Of course! The universal law of conservation of consonants. Clearly I need to page through my grade school texts as a refresher; I'd completely forgotten it. ;)
November 2, 2007
chained_bear commented on the word wash
I know lots of people from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana who say "warsh." Also some from western Virginia--Roanoke area.
It annoys me because they also say "George Warshington," which is just... come on. That blows.
November 2, 2007
reesetee commented on the word wash
It's also a classic Pittsburgh-ism, so some of those consonants didn't migrate as far as Ohio. :-)
November 2, 2007
rocksinmypockets commented on the word wash
I've never heard "George Warshington" before. Shoosh, that's funny.
November 3, 2007
bilby commented on the word wash
Nigerian English - Use a newly acquired item for the first time. If new car is bought washing includes prayer for safe travelling after which drinks are served.
September 17, 2008