washing

Pluralwashings

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle and gerund of wash. Use this form for actions happening right now or for the activity itself.

   She is washing the dishes while the kids set the table.

   He spent Saturday morning washing his car in the driveway.

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   The act of cleaning something with water and soap.

   Give the apples a quick washing before you eat them.

   The muddy boots needed a good washing after the hike.

   Similarcleaning, scrub, rinse

   Note
3. 3
   nounAustraliaBritishNew Zealanduncountable

   Clothes, sheets, and other soft things that need to be washed or have just been washed.

   Bring the washing in off the line before it starts to rain.

   There is a big pile of washing next to the machine.

   Similarlaundry

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A very thin layer of paint, metal, or another material spread over a surface.

   The artist gave the sky a light washing of blue paint.

   A thin washing of silver covers the cheap metal underneath.

   Similarcoat, coating, film, layer

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A trick where a person buys and sells the same stock at the same time so the market looks busy.

   Like trading the same toy back and forth with a friend so other kids think everyone wants it.

   The price rose because of washing by two linked accounts, not because real buyers wanted the stock.

   The trader got in trouble for washing that made his shares look popular.

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountableplural

   The leftover material after rock that contains metal has been washed.

   Most of the washings were just sand, but one washing still held a little tin.

   The washings left in the pan after the ore was rinsed still held some copper.

   Similartailings, residue

   Note
7. 7
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The liquid used to wash rock that has metal in it.

   The washing turned gray as it carried away the rock dust.

   They let the dirty washing settle in a tank, then poured it over the next load of ore.

8. 8
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A place where people use water to separate gold or another valuable metal from gravel.

   The miners worked at the washing from sunrise until dark.

   News of gold brought hundreds of people to the washing by the river.

   Similarplacer

   Note
9. 9
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A layer of powder that keeps a clay piece from sticking to its supports while its shiny coating is baked on.

   A quick washing with powder kept the bowls from sticking to their stands.

   Without proper washing, the cups stuck to their supports during baking.

   Note

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