lavatory

lavatory · noun¹

1. Spanish · derived fromlavadero
2. Latin · derived fromlavāre“to wash”
3. Late Latin · derived fromlavātōrium
4. Middle English · inherited fromlavatorie
5. English todaylavatory

From Middle English lavatorie, from Late Latin lavātōrium, from Latin lavāre (“to wash”) + -ium (forming places related to an activity). As a place to pan gold, via Spanish lavadero. Doublet of lavatorium and laver. See also lave.

lavatory · adjective²

1. Latin · borrowed fromlavātōrius
2. English todaylavatory

From Latin lavātōrius.

Words from the same roots