Dictionary

eyewash en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ˈaɪ̯.wɑʃ/ (General-American)
• /ˈaɪ̯.wɒʃ/ (UK)

Etymology

From eye + wash. Compare typologically Russian глаз замы́лился (glaz zamýlilsja) (akin to мы́ло (mýlo), мыть (mytʹ)).

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable, usually) The washing out of the eyes with copious solution (usually water alone) to quickly remove an irritant, as for example in laboratories and industrial plants; the washing solution itself.
   • an eyewash station on every floor of the building
   • a bottle of eyewash
2. (countable, uncountable, usually) A soothing medicated lotion for the eyes.
3. (figuratively, slang, uncountable, usually) Something deceptive and superficially pleasing but without accurate or genuine substance: camouflage; disguise; false front; pretense; nonsense.
   • Near-synonyms: hogwash, whitewash, window dressing
   • They argued over the menu. The fish was described as being 'Made From Flaky Tender Boneless Filets and the chicken as 'Delicious French Fried to a Golden Brown, Served Disjointed'. 'Eyewash,' said Bond, and they finally ordered scrambled eggs and bacon and sausages, a salad, and some of the domestic Camembert that is one of the most welcome surprises on American menus. 1954, Ian Fleming, “Allumeuse”, in Live and Let Die, London: Pan Books, published 1957, page 107:
   • It is a reassuring patriotic myth; in short, for the historian, eyewash. 1989, Richard Fletcher, The Quest for El Cid, Hutchinson, page 13:
   • Talking of being eaten by dogs, there's a dachshund at Brinkley who when you first meet him will give you the impression that he plans to convert you into a light snack between his regular meals. Pay no attention. It's all eyewash. […] He wouldn't hurt a fly, but he has to put up a front because his name's Poppet. One can readily appreciate that when a dog hears himself addressed day in and day out as Poppet, he feels he must throw his weight about. His self-respect demands it. 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter XI, in Jeeves in the Offing:

Forms

Relateds

eyedrops · eye bleach · eyecare

Synonyms

window dressing · whitewash · hogwash

Translations (12)

pl pochlebstwo (nonsense, flattery, pretentiousness) · fi silmänlume (means of creating deceptive impression) · uk окозами́лювання (means of creating deceptive impression) · pl bzdura (nonsense, flattery, pretentiousness) · fi silmähuuhde (lotion) · pl nonsens (nonsense, flattery, pretentiousness) · pl płyn do przemywania oczu (lotion) · fr collyre (lotion) · ru очковтира́тельство (means of creating deceptive impression) · fi silmänlume (nonsense, flattery, pretentiousness) · fi silmänpalvonta (nonsense, flattery, pretentiousness) · pl mydlenie oczu (means of creating deceptive impression)

eyewash en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ˈaɪ̯.wɑʃ/ (General-American)
• /ˈaɪ̯.wɒʃ/ (UK)

Etymology

From eye + wash. Compare typologically Russian глаз замы́лился (glaz zamýlilsja) (akin to мы́ло (mýlo), мыть (mytʹ)).

Meanings

1. To fool with nonsense or flattery.
2. (qualifier:intelligence) To keep information secret by sending false information to many people in one's own organization, and correct information to a select few.
   • But others said that eyewashing was a standard security practice that had been in existence for decades. 2016 January 31, “‘Eyewash’: How the CIA deceives its own workforce about operations”, in The New York Times:

Forms

Relateds

eyebath