lavatory

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A room with a toilet, especially in formal or British usage.

   Excuse me, could you tell me where the lavatory is?

2. 2
   noun

   A toilet fixture itself.

   The aircraft has a lavatory at the rear of the cabin.

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.

Topics