Collins English-English Dictionary

wash [wɑʃ]

1. 1. vb to apply water or other liquid, usually with soap, to (oneself, clothes, etc) in order to cleanse

2. 2. vt. [tr; often foll by away, from, off, etc] to remove by the application of water or other liquid and usually soap

   she washed the dirt from her clothes

3. 3. vi. [intr] to be capable of being washed without damage or loss of colour

4. 4. vi. (of an animal such as a cat) to cleanse (itself or another animal) by licking

5. 5. vt. [tr] to cleanse from pollution or defilement

6. 6. vt. [tr] to make wet or moist

7. 7. vt. [often foll by away, etc] to move or be moved by water

   the flood washed away the bridge

8. 8. vt. (esp of waves) to flow or sweep against or over (a surface or object), often with a lapping sound

9. 9. vt. to form by erosion or be eroded

   the stream washed a ravine in the hill

10. 10. vt. [tr] to apply a thin coating of paint, metal, etc, to

11. 11. vt. [tr] to separate (ore, precious stones, etc) from (gravel, earth, or sand) by immersion in water

12. 12. vi. [intr; usually used with a negative] [informal] [chiefly Brit] to admit of testing or proof

    your excuses won't wash with me this time

13. 13. n the act or process of washing; ablution

14. 14. n a quantity of articles washed together

15. 15. n a preparation or thin liquid used as a coating or in washing

    a thin wash of paint

    a hair wash

16. 16. n [med] any medicinal or soothing lotion for application to a part of the body

17. 17. n (in combination)

    an eyewash

18. 18. n the flow of water, esp waves, against a surface, or the sound made by such a flow

19. 19. n the technique of making wash drawings

20. 20. n See wash drawing

21. 21. n the erosion of soil by the action of flowing water

22. 22. n a mass of alluvial material transported and deposited by flowing water

23. 23. n land that is habitually washed by tidal or river waters

24. 24. n the disturbance in the air or water produced at the rear of an aircraft, boat, or other moving object

25. 25. n gravel, earth, etc, from which valuable minerals may be washed

26. 26. n waste liquid matter or liquid refuse, esp as fed to pigs; swill

27. 27. n an alcoholic liquid resembling strong beer, resulting from the fermentation of wort in the production of whisky

28. 28. n See also wash down wash out wash up

29. 29. n [Etymology] Old English wæscan, waxan; related to Old High German wascan; see water