lavabo en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
- /ləˈveɪbəʊ/ (UK)
Etymology
From the Christian ritual, which was traditionally accompanied in Catholicism by a recitation of Psalm 25:6 (Psalm 26:6, in the Hebrew and in most modern translations) which in Latin begins with the word lavābō (“I will wash”). The sense of "room with a toilet" developed under the influence of lavatory and lav.
Meanings
- A ritual involving the washing of one's hands at a church's offertory before handling the Eucharist.
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The small towel used to dry the priest's hands following the ritual.
These small liturgical towels got […] the name of Lavabo cloths or Lavaboes.
1870, Daniel Rock, Textile Fabrics, page 203:
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A washbasin, particularly (Christianity) the one in a church used in the ritual.
[…] the […] pontiff, as he […] moved his hands […] at the Lavabo, or at the various benedictions […]
1885, Walter Horatio Peter, Marius the Epicurean, Bk. iv, Ch. xxiii:
- A trough used for washing at some medieval monasteries.
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(euphemistic, humorous) A lavatory: a room used for urination and defecation.
Mr. Pond fussed out and she heard the door of the little lavabo in the passage open with a loud creak.
1930, Dorothy L. Sayers, chapter XIV, in Strong Poision, page 177:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| lavabos | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| lavaboes | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Synonyms
khazi · thunderbox · neddy · six · office · wardrobe · necessarium · throne room · washroom · washbasin · lavabo · CR · jacks · carsey · brasco · dike · siege · karzy · urinal · necessary · withdraught · jakes · amenities · ladies and gentlemen · lav · toilet room · cludgie · shield · necessary room · WC · latrine · john · teahouse · lats · cottage · toilet · netty · bathroom · tearoom · necessary place · bog · urination station · facilities · kocay · cloaca · lavvy · House of Lords · shitter · small room · office of ease · house of office · smallest room · crapper · purging place · bogger · potty · jacques · loo · place · can · usual offices · restroom · johnny · comfort room · lavatory · vault · closet of decency · lavatory · geography · water closet · privy · dunny · closet · closet of ease
Translations (6)
it lavabo (church washbasin) · fr lavabo (church washbasin) · ru рукомо́йник (church washbasin) · el φιάλη αγιασμού (church washbasin) · id lavabo (church washbasin) · de Lavabo (church washbasin)