rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: wascan
Old English

wascan

wash

Forms

  • wascan
  • wash — The consonant cluster and ending developed into the modern form.

Origin

An inherited Germanic cleaning verb with older Indo-European ancestry.

Note

The action can clean something or move it by flowing water.

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noun

washing

WAH-shing/ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/

The act of cleaning with water or another liquid.

The muddy plate needs a thorough washing under running water.

A woman washes a muddy plate under running tap water, visibly scrubbing away brown residue with a sponge above a sink.
Etymology
washOld Englishwash
+ingEnglishan action or activity

The ending turns the cleansing verb into the name of an activity. Old English already had this action noun for washing clothes; the selected sense covers cleaning with liquid more generally.

In context

Agriculture Insight14:28
a large volume of waste water is generated from stages such as root washing, grinding, sedimentation, and filtration.
How Millions Tons of Cassava Are Processed – Massive Cassava Starch Farming & Processing

More examples

  • Regular hand washing helps prevent the spread of germs.
  • This sweater keeps its shape after many washings.
  • The car needs washing after our trip down the muddy road.

Forms

washing · washings

wash verb — To clean with water or another liquid.

Similar words

cleaning
Removes dirt by any method, not necessarily with liquid.
rinsing
Uses water to remove residue, usually without thorough scrubbing.
laundering
Refers specifically to washing clothes and other fabrics.