lavatory

English

/ˈlæv.ə.tɹi/, /ˈlæv.ə.tɔɹ.i/

noun
Definitions
  • A vessel or fixture for washing, particularly:
  • Handwashing, particularly
  • (obsolete) A liquid used in washing; a lotion; a wash; a rinse.
  • (dated) A washroom: a room used for washing the face and hands.
  • (euphemism) A room containing a toilet: a bathroom US or WC UK.
  • (UK) A plumbing fixture for urination and defecation: a toilet.
  • (dated) A place to wash clothes: a laundry.
  • (obsolete) A place where gold is panned.
  • (obsolete) A paved room in a mortuary where corpses are kept under a shower of disinfecting fluid.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English lavatorie derived from Latin lavatorium, lavō, lavāre (wash) derived from Spanish, Castilian lavadero.

Origin

Spanish

lavadero

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms