deodorant

What it means

1. Any agent acting to eliminate, reduce, mask, or control odor.

   The only apparent difference between Playtex deodorant and nondeodorant tampons was the deodorant, yet the deodorant tampons did not stimulate the production of TSST-1.

   1987, Amy C Lee Wong, Factors affecting growth of Staphylococcus aureus and production of toxic shock syndrome-1

   1. An odor-controlling substance applied to the underarm to counteract odor from perspiration.

      Banned are newspapers and books, noncotton clothing, after-shave lotions and deodorants, all nonorganic or processed foods[…].

      1988 January 22, Robert McClory, “The Yeast of Our Problems”, in Chicago Reader

In a sentence

The only apparent difference between Playtex deodorant and nondeodorant tampons was the deodorant, yet the deodorant tampons did not stimulate the production of TSST-1.

1987, Amy C Lee Wong, Factors affecting growth of Staphylococcus aureus and production of toxic shock syndrome-1

Where it comes from

1. Latinde-
2. Englishdeodorant

From Latin de- + odorans, present participle of odorare (“to smell”), from odor (“a smell”); see odor. By surface analysis, de- + odor + -ant.