Washing n. 1.The act of one who washes; the act of cleansing with water; ablution.
2.The clothes washed, esp. at one time; a wash.
3.(Mining) Gold dust procured by washing; also, a place where this is done; a washery.
4.A thin covering or coat; as, a washing of silver.
5.(Stock Exchanges) The operation of simultaneously buying and selling the same stock for the purpose of manipulating the market. The transaction is fictitious, and is prohibited by stock-exchange rules.
6.(Pottery) The covering of a piece with an infusible powder, which prevents it from sticking to its supports, while receiving the glaze.
Washing bear (Zool.), the raccoon.
Washing bottle (Chem.), a bottle fitted with glass tubes passing through the cork, so that on blowing into one of the tubes a stream of water issuing from the other may be directed upon anything to be washed or rinsed, as a precipitate upon a filter, etc.
Washing fluid, a liquid used as a cleanser, and consisting usually of alkaline salts resembling soaps in their action.
Washing machine, a machine for washing; specifically, a machine for washing clothes.
Washing soda. (Chem.) See Sodium carbonate, under Sodium. Washing stuff, any earthy deposit containing gold enough to pay for washing it; so called among gold miners.
...
