How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. R. W. Holder. 2014.
lavatory — ● lavatory, lavatories ou lavatorys nom masculin (anglais lavatory) Vieux. Cabinet de toilette public avec water closets attenants. ⇒LAVATORY, subst. masc. Vieilli. Cabinet d aisance, généralement public, où se trouve un lavabo. Synon. toilettes … Encyclopédie Universelle
Lavatory — Lav a*to*ry, n.; pl. {Lavatories}. [L. lavatorium: cf. lavatoire. See {Lave} to wash, and cf. {Laver}.] 1. A place for washing. [1913 Webster] 2. A basin or other vessel for washing in. [1913 Webster] 3. A wash or lotion for a diseased part.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Lavatory — Lav a*to*ry, a. Washing, or cleansing by washing. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
lavatory — (n.) late 14c., washbasin, from L. lavatorium place for washing, noun use of neuter of adjective lavatorius pertaining to washing, from lavatus, pp. of lavare to wash (see LAVE (Cf. lave)). Sense of washroom is first attested 1650s; as a… … Etymology dictionary
lavatory — the standard word in the early part of the 20c for a receptacle for urination and defecation (and the room containing it), has tended to give way to alternatives such as loo (the usual middle class word) and toilet (still non U but the word… … Modern English usage
lavatory — [n] bathroom latrine, powder room, restroom, shower, toilet, washroom, water closet, WC; concept 448 … New thesaurus
lavatory — ► NOUN (pl. lavatories) ▪ a toilet. ORIGIN Latin lavatorium place for washing , from lavare to wash … English terms dictionary
lavatory — [lav′ə tôr΄ē] n. pl. lavatories [LL lavatorium < L lavare, to wash: see LAVE1] 1. Now Rare a bowl or basin, esp. one with faucets and drainage, for washing the face and hands; washbowl 2. a) a room equipped with a washbowl and flush toilet;… … English World dictionary
lavatory — noun (esp. BrE) ADJECTIVE ▪ public (BrE) ▪ gents (BrE), ladies , men s ▪ outside ▪ flushing VER … Collocations dictionary
lavatory — [[t]læ̱vətri, AM tɔːri[/t]] lavatories N COUNT A lavatory is the same as a toilet. [mainly BRIT] ...the ladies lavatory at the University of London. ...a public lavatory. Syn: toilet … English dictionary
lavatory — UK [ˈlævətrɪ] / US [ˈlævəˌtɔrɪ] noun [countable] Word forms lavatory : singular lavatory plural lavatories 1) formal a toilet 2) mainly American a room with a toilet and a sink, especially on a plane … English dictionary
