a. [f. WASH v. + -ABLE.]
† 1. That can be used for washing, with which one can wash. Obs. rare–1.
1623. Wodroephe, Spared Hours of Soldier, 247. On dit … que l’eau est nauigable, beuuable & lauable.… Men say … that Water is both nauigable, drinkable & washable.
2. That can be washed without damage to texture or color.
1821. Blackw. Mag., X. 562. Pocket-handkerchiefs were quite abandoned,… yea, most things washable.
1838. Dickens, O. Twist, xxxvii. Like washable beaver hats that improve with rain, his nerves were rendered stouter and more vigorous by showers of tears.
1839. Civil Engin. & Arch. Jrnl., II. 141/2. Washable paper hangings.
1887. Eng. Illustr. Mag., May, 546. Everything was planned so as to be readily washable and brushable.
3. Exposed to the washing of the waves.
1878. Smiles, Robt. Dick, v. 44. The sea dashes in through the washable rocks, and drives up in clouds of vapour far inland.
