lavatory
/ˈlæv.ə.t(ɔ)ɹ.i/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.90 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
4
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "Whon he haþ vsed he walkeþ riht To Lauatorie þer hit is diht For to wassche his hende."
- "And thow shalt make a brasun lauatory with his foot to wasshe with."
- "Their 'bathroom' included a toilet and a lavatory but no bath."
- "Lavatories (bathroom sinks) are available in a blizzard of colors, materials, and styles."
- "Anywhere a water closet is used, a lavatory (ie, hand-washing sink) must also be installed."
- "Wᵗ condicion that at the tyme of the Lavatory eueryche of theym turne theym to the people, and exorte theym to pray for ye soules following..."
Etymology
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.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: lavatorie, lavātōrium, lavō, lavadero, lavātōrius
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈlæv.ə.t(ɔ)ɹ.i/
- British English: /ˈlæv.ə.tɹi/
Usage
Inflected Forms
Derived Forms
Phrases
lavatory attendant
lavatory basin
lavatory bowl
lavatory brush
lavatory chain
lavatory cleanser
lavatory humor
lavatory joke