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wiping cloth

wiping cloth

2.1
A piece of cloth for cleaning grease, oil, or dirt in workshops
  • noun
translation icon : trapo de limpieza
  • At the factory, workers must have a wiping cloth handy to remove any spills of oil.

Examples

  • The mechanic used a wiping cloth to clean the engine after making repairs.

  • These are lint free wiping clothes that I use instead of paper towels.

  • She reached for a wiping cloth to clean the grease off the countertop.

Synonyms

cloth
vswiping cloth
215 1.0

A piece of material made by joining threads together and used for making clothes or for cleaning

is a specific cleaning tool for grease and oil in workplaces
rag
vswiping cloth
97 1.0

A small piece of old cloth used for cleaning

is for heavy grease and industrial dirt rather than household use
dishrag
vswiping cloth
  • US
3 1.1

A small cloth for washing plates and pans

is for industrial greasy dirt rather than dishwashing tasks
dishcloth
vswiping cloth
2 1.0

A cloth used to wash and dry dishes

is used for heavier grease removal in workplaces not dish care
cleaning cloth
vswiping cloth
1 1.0

A small piece of soft material used to wipe surfaces and remove dirt or oil

is the industrial term stressing heavy greasy dirt
oily rag
vswiping cloth
1 3.4

A piece of cloth soaked in oil used to clean or shine things

is intended for active cleaning of grease and oil rather than being oily itself
raggie
vswiping cloth
  • UK
9.6

A small piece of cloth used for cleaning

is aimed at industrial greasy cleaning rather than casual quick wiping
dustrag
vswiping cloth
  • UK
3.4

A cloth used to wipe dust from surfaces

focuses on heavier grease and oil removal not simple dusting
dustcloth
vswiping cloth
1.0

A soft cloth used to remove dust from furniture

is for tougher dirt like grease and oil not just dusting
sponge cloth
vswiping cloth
3.2

A soft cloth that soaks up water for cleaning and drying surfaces

is focused on heavy grease and oil removal in industrial settings

How Absorbent

microfiber
  • US
4 3.7
chamois
3 9.1
towel
565 1.0
wiping cloth
2.1
rag
97 1.0

Surface Forms

wiping cloth singular
wiping cloths plural

Morphology

wipe + cloth

The noun phrase is transparently built from the verb 'wipe' (to clean by rubbing) and 'cloth' (a piece of textile), so its meaning—a cloth used for wiping or cleaning—is directly derivable from the parts. The gerund/participle modifier pattern (wiping cloth = cloth for wiping) is a common, compositional construction across languages, making it readily understandable to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

Wiping cloth combines wiping and cloth, so picture someone rubbing a cloth over a greasy machine to lift oil and dirt. That's why it means 'a piece of cloth' used to clean hands, tools, or machines.