vər1300–50; Middle English lavo(u)r < Anglo-French lavour, Old French laveoir < Late Latin lavātōrium lavatory
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
laver1 (ˈleɪvə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | Old Testament a large basin of water used by the priests for ritual ablutions |
| 2. | the font or the water of baptism |
| [C14: from Old French laveoir, from Late Latin lavātōrium washing place] | |
| laver2 (ˈlɑːvə) | |
| —n | |
| any of several seaweeds of the genus Porphyra and related genera, with edible fronds: phylum Rhodophyta (red algae) | |
| [C16: from Latin] | |
| Laver (ˈleɪvə) | |
| —n | |
| Rod(ney) (George). born 1938, Australian tennis player: Wimbledon champion 1961, 1962, 1968, 1969; US champion 1962, 1969 | |
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Laver definition
(Heb. kiyor), a "basin" for boiling in, a "pan" for cooking (1 Sam. 2:14), a "fire-pan" or hearth (Zech. 12:6), the sacred wash-bowl of the tabernacle and temple (Ex. 30:18, 28; 31:9; 35:16; 38:8; 39:39; 40:7, 11, 30, etc.), a basin for the water used by the priests in their ablutions. That which was originally used in the tabernacle was of brass (rather copper; Heb. nihsheth), made from the metal mirrors the women brought out of Egypt (Ex. 38:8). It contained water wherewith the priests washed their hands and feet when they entered the tabernacle (40:32). It stood in the court between the altar and the door of the tabernacle (30:19, 21). In the temple there were ten lavers used for the sacrifices, and the molten sea for the ablutions of the priests (2 Chr. 4:6). The position and uses of these are described 1 Kings 7:23-39; 2 Chr. 4:6. The "molten sea" was made of copper, taken from Tibhath and Chun, cities of Hadarezer, king of Zobah (1 Chr. 18:8; 1 Kings 7:23-26). No lavers are mentioned in the second temple.
Cite This Source
laver
any member of the genus Porphyra, a group of marine red algae. The thallus, a sheet of cells embedded in a thin gelatinous stratum, varies in colour from deep brown or red to pink; sexual reproductive structures are borne at the margin. Laver grows near the high-water mark of the intertidal zone in both Northern and Southern hemispheres. It grows best in nitrogen-rich water, such as is found near sewage outlets. Laver is harvested, dried, and used as food in greater amounts than any other seaweed. A major food crop, it is cultivated on ropes in extensive inshore fields in East Asia. It is used as a soup base, as a flavouring for other food, and as a covering for rice-filled sushi. On the Welsh and Scottish coasts, it is sometimes grilled on toast (sloke) and is reported to have an oysterlike taste
Learn more about laver with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Cite This Source
