Dictionary

toilet room en · NOUN

Pronunciation

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Etymology

Originally from French chambre or cabinet de toilette, used for private grooming areas and then euphemistically for the locations of chamber pots and the plumbing fixtures which took their name from the room. Now generally understood as a direct (even impolitely overly direct) reference to the fixtures.

Meanings

1. (historical) A room in which to perform one's toilet, including dressing and grooming, particularly before execution.
   • We first enter a set of apartments, that are fitted up as toilette-rooms for the ladies. 1800, William Tooke, History of Russia, volume II, page 428:
   • Before dawn already the executioner repairs to the prison, and signs at the office the certificate by which he vouches for the delivery of the person whom he is to behead. He then enters the so-called toilet-room, a narrow, dark chamber, whither the poor sinner, accompanied by the priest, is soon taken. 1868 July 18, "Monsieur de Paris" in Every Saturday, Vol. VI, p. 78
   • The wealthy official Shih Ch'ung [sc., Shi Chong]... had more than ten beautiful girls... always stand at attendance in the toilet room to help the guest ‘change clothes’. 1961, R.H. van Gulik, chapter VI, in Sexual Life in Ancient China, page 168:
2. A room in which to use a toilet: a lavatory.
   • To have at least four seat closets placed in the toilet room adjoining the assembly and at least two in the toilet room adjoining the senate. 1895, State of Wisconsin, Laws, page 795:
   • The other apartments are for toilet rooms for both sexes, on first and second floors. 1854, San Francisco Board of Education, Annual Report, page 9:

Forms

Deriveds

tearoom · ladies' room · women's room · gentlemen's room · men's room

Synonyms

lavatory room · chamber (obsolete room for dressing and grooming) · toilet (lavatory) · cabinet (obsolete room for dressing and grooming)