Colgate
name, noun, slang ·2 syllables ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
- 1 toothpaste Philippines, slang, uncountable
- 1 A village and civil parish in Horsham district, West Sussex, England (OS grid ref TQ2332). countable, uncountable
- 2 A habitational surname from Old English. countable, uncountable
"Poirot's lips moved. Inspector Colgate leaned forward. Poirot was murmuring, "It's so difficult to know which pieces are part of the fur rug and which are the cat's tail.""
- 3 A particular brand of toothpaste. countable, uncountable
"The base of her electric toothbrush fell onto its side as she yanked a little too hard and squirted on a blob of Colgate. As the bristles met her front teeth, she savored the mint flavor on her tongue like peppermint candy."
Example
More examples"Vladimir has never brushed his teeth with anything other than Colgate."
Etymology
The toothpaste brand was named after the company founder, William Colgate. The surname derives from the place name, which is probably from Old English col (“coal”) and ġeat (“gate”). The Philippine sense is a genericized trademark from the toothpaste brand, Colgate. Compare Cebuano kulgit.