The quality or state of having the power to cleanse, wash, or purify something.
From 'detersive' (cleansing) plus the noun suffix '-ness.' Archaic medical term from Latin 'detergere' (to wipe away).
The 'detersiveness' of salt water—its ability to clean and disinfect—made it crucial in ship surgeries; sailors understood that salt water was one of their best medicines!
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