lavabo

American  

[luh-vey-boh, -vah-] / ləˈveɪ boʊ, -ˈvɑ- /

noun

plural

lavaboes

1. Ecclesiastical.

   1. the ritual washing of the celebrant's hands after the offertory in the Mass, accompanied in the Roman rite by the recitation of Psalm 26:6–12.

   2. the passage recited.

   3. the small towel or the basin used.

2. (in many medieval monasteries) a large stone basin equipped with a number of small orifices through which water flowed, used for the performance of ablutions.

3. a washbowl with a spigot-equipped water tank above, both mounted on a wall: now often used for decoration or as a planter.

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lavabo British  

/ ləˈveɪbəʊ /

noun

1. 1. the ritual washing of the celebrant's hands after the offertory at Mass

   2. ( as modifier )

      lavabo basin

      lavabo towel

2. another name for washbasin

3. a trough for washing in a convent or monastery

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Etymology

Origin of lavabo

First recorded in 1855–60, lavabo is from the Latin word lavābō: I shall wash

Example Sentences

Room 39, Mademoiselle, has always been the lavabo.

From Time Magazine Archive

It has still rich vestments, fine woodwork, and a gay and elaborate lavabo by one of the della Robbias, with its wealth of ornament and colour and its charming Madonna and Child with angels.

From A Wanderer in Florence by Lucas, E. V. (Edward Verrall)

And the "lavabo," as it is here called, a spacious room with an ostentatiously noisy rush of water which may be heard afar and awakens one at night.

From Impressions and Comments by Ellis, Havelock

All the other articles, too, were of silver: the lavabo basin, the bell, the thurible, the boat and spoon, and the cruets.

From By What Authority? by Benson, Robert Hugh

The other reliefs are Donatello's too; but the lavabo in the inner sacristy is Verrocchio's, and Verrocchio's tomb of Piero can never be overlooked even amid such a wealth of the greater master's work.

From A Wanderer in Florence by Lucas, E. V. (Edward Verrall)

Related Words

• bath
• bathing
• laundry
• soaking