lavatory etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: lavatorium, from lavare "to wash"

Meaning:

  • A room or fixture in a house or public building that contains a sink and toilet for washing and personal hygiene.

Origin:

The term "lavatory" dates back to the late 16th century, when it was used to refer to a place or vessel designated for washing. It was originally derived from the Latin verb lavare, meaning "to wash" or "to bathe."

Over time, the term "lavatory" became specialized to refer to a specific room or fixture in a building that was specifically intended for washing and personal hygiene. This included tasks such as washing hands, brushing teeth, and using the toilet.

In modern usage, the term "lavatory" is often used interchangeably with "bathroom" or "toilet," although some regions may have different preferences for these terms. However, in some formal or historical contexts, "lavatory" may still be used to refer specifically to the room or fixture that contains the sink, while "bathroom" or "toilet" may be used for the room as a whole.

lavatory relate terms

  • bathroom

  • bath

    Etymology and Meaning of Bath The word bath has its origins in the Old English word

  • room

    Etymology The word room originates from the Middle English word roum which in turn

  • lavatory

    Etymology Latin lavatorium from lavare to wash Meaning A room or fixture in a

  • lavatory

    Etymology Latin lavatorium from lavare to wash Meaning A room or fixture in a

  • ablution

    Etymology From Late Latin ablutiō from Latin abluō from ab away luō to wa

  • alluvium

    Etymology Latin alluvius a washing ashore from alluere to wash upon From the roo

  • deluge

    Etymology The word deluge derives from the Latin word diluvium which means flood

  • dilute

    Etymology The word dilute comes from the Latin word diluere which means to wash aw

  • elution

    Etymology Latin elūtiō elūtiōnis a washing out Meaning The process of ex

  • lather

    Etymology Middle English lathren Old English liðre Proto Germanic _liðra_ Meani

  • latrine

    Etymology The word latrine ultimately derives from the Latin word lavatrina meaning

  • launder

    Etymology Middle English laundren from Anglo French lavander from Late Latin lavanda

  • lautitious

    Etymology Latin lautus meaning washed clean pure Proto Indo European root lew

  • lavage

    Etymology Old French lavage Latin lavatio meaning act of washing Proto Indo Europea

  • lavation

    Etymology and Origin of Lavation The word lavation originates from the Latin word la

  • lavatory

    Etymology Latin lavatorium from lavare to wash Meaning A room or fixture in a

  • lave

    Etymology The word lave comes from the Latin word lavere which means to wash This

  • lavish

    Etymology The word lavish comes from the Old French word lavasse which means water

  • lotion

  • toilet

    Etymology The word toilet has ultimately derived from the French word toile meaning

  • John

    Etymology Hebrew יוחנן Yōḥānān Meaning God is gracious or Yahweh i

  • necessary

    Etymology Necessary from Latin necessarius meaning indispensable inevitable Mea

  • restroom

    Etymology The word restroom is a combination of two words Rest Derived from the Old

  • stall

    Etymology Middle English stallen staulen staken Old English stæl stælan to ste

  • commode

    Etymology The word commode comes from the French word commode which in turn derives

  • head

    Etymology The word head comes from the Old English word heafod which itself derives