lachrymatory

or lac·ri·ma·to·ry

[ lak-ruh-muh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or causing the shedding of tears.

noun

, plural lach·ry·ma·to·ries.

1. Also called lachrymal. a small, narrow-necked vase found in ancient Roman tombs, formerly thought to have been used to catch and keep the tears of bereaved friends.

lachrymatory

/ -trɪ; ˈlækrɪmətərɪ /

noun

1. a small vessel found in ancient tombs, formerly thought to hold the tears of mourners

adjective

1. See lacrimatory
   a variant spelling of lacrimatory

Word History and Origins

Origin of lachrymatory¹

1650–60; (noun) < Medieval Latin lachrymātōrium, equivalent to lachrymā ( re ) to shed tears + -tōrium -tory ²; (adj.) < Medieval Latin lachrymātōrius, equivalent to lachrymā ( re ) + -tōrius -tory ¹; lachrymal

Example Sentences

Roman vessels—a red thing that might have been a lamp, another that might have been a lachrymatory.

From Project Gutenberg

Alluding to the lachrymatory vials, or bottles of tears, which the Romans sometimes put into the urn of a friend.

From Project Gutenberg

Investigation showed that a horse's eyes did not shed tears in the presence of even strong lachrymatory gases.

From Project Gutenberg

Between the faces is an object like an ancient lachrymatory.

From Project Gutenberg

Your uncle is great in the lachrymatory line, Clive Newcome.

From Project Gutenberg