lave

¹

[ leyv ]

verb (used with object)

, laved, lav·ing.

1. to wash; bathe.
2. (of a river, sea, etc.) to flow along, against, or past; wash.
3. Obsolete. to ladle; pour or dip with a ladle.

verb (used without object)

, laved, lav·ing.

1. Archaic. to bathe.

lave

²

[ leyv ]

noun

, Scot.

1. the remainder; the rest.

lave

³

[ leyv ]

adjective

, British.

1. (of ears) large and drooping.

lave

/ leɪv /

verb

1. an archaic word for wash

Other Words From

• un·laved adjective
• un·laving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lave¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English laven “to wash, bathe, moisten,” partly from Old French laver, from Latin lavāre “to wash, bathe”; partly from Old English lafian “to pour water on, wash,” gelafian “to wash, lave, refresh,” itself perhaps from Latin lavāre

Origin of lave²

First recorded before 1000; Middle English love, lave, loave, Old English lāf “remnant, remains”; cognate with Old High German leiba, Old Norse leif, Gothic laiba; akin to leave ¹

Origin of lave³

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; special use of lave ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lave¹

Old English lafian, perhaps from Latin lavāre to wash

Example Sentences

If that's th' kind iv job a sultan has, I'll lave it f'r anny wan to take that wants it.

From Project Gutenberg

Av this is Warter Pocket Canyon, we may not be able to foind this pass if we lave it.

From Project Gutenberg

Whin they come to see if he was dead, he got up, an' says he: 'Lave me at him.'

From Project Gutenberg

If you do, then I'll lave the chapel on the spot, and maybe you won't see me agin.

From Project Gutenberg

For the love of God, your reverence, would you lave me put my cap under my knees?

From Project Gutenberg