What is the Latin word for detersive?

The usual Latin words for “detersive” are smēcticus, smēgma. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“detersive” in Latin

smēcticuscleansing, abstersive smēgmaointment

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

detersive

smecticus (σμηκτικός, Plin.). A detersive lotion, smegma (σμῆγμα, Plin.; for making the skin smooth).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for detersive?: The usual Latin words for “detersive” are smēcticus, smēgma. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.