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View synonyms for lavatory

lavatory

[ lav-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

noun

, plural lav·a·to·ries.
  1. a room fitted with equipment for washing the hands and face and usually with flush toilet facilities.
  2. a flush toilet; water closet.
  3. a bowl or basin with running water for washing or bathing purposes; washbowl.
  4. any place where washing is done.


lavatory

/ -trɪ; ˈlævətərɪ /

noun

  1. Also calledtoiletwater closetWC
    1. a sanitary installation for receiving and disposing of urine and faeces, consisting of a bowl fitted with a water-flushing device and connected to a drain
    2. a room containing such an installation
  2. the washing place in a convent or monastic establishment


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Word History and Origins

Origin of lavatory1

1325–75; Middle English lavatorie < Late Latin lavātōrium washing-place, equivalent to Latin lavā ( re ) to wash + -tōrium -tory 2

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lavatory1

C14: from Late Latin lavātōrium, from Latin lavāre to wash

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Example Sentences

It was another hot day in the Negev desert of Israel, and several researchers from Ben-Gurion University were setting up a field lavatory.

A final call came into the Westmoreland County 911 Center in Pennsylvania from a man who said he was locked in the lavatory.

Those who need to go to the bathroom are escorted by an officer to the plane’s tiny lavatory.

Pictures taken by Tarai show the flight attendant standing by the lavatory, feet away from Quinonez, as she waited for police to escort the passenger from the plane after they landed.

Some cities, including Portland, Oregon, and Montreal, Canada, are rising to the challenge with stand-alone lavatories that anybody can use, free of charge.

He jiggled the faceted glass door knob to let the person inside know he was hogging the lavatory.

The impromptu Bombastes excited universal applause, and just at the end Wright ran in through the lavatory.

The consequence was, that I was severely hurt, and might have been seriously injured in entering the lavatory.

There was a little lavatory off the third room of the suite, and Mr. Norcross went in and washed his face and hands.

On the other, through a curtained alcove, he could see a tiny lavatory.

A study of the illustrations will show clearly how the lavatory has been improved.

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