lavabo

American  

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

noun

lavaboes plural

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

In the sacristy are a Venetian lavabo, some embroideries, and a fine fifteenth-century processional cross.

From The Shores of the Adriatic The Austrian Side, The Küstenlande, Istria, and Dalmatia by Jackson, F. Hamilton (Frederick Hamilton)

The half-dozen guests and frequenters filled for a moment the little hall, some waiting to wash their hands at the primitive lavabo by the foot of the stairs.

From The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol by Ball, Alec

We had six massive silver candlesticks on the altar, besides those at the sides for the Elevation; the cruets were of silver also, as were the basin for the lavabo, the bell, and the thurible.

From The Condition of Catholics Under James I. by Gerard, John

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

Related Words

• bath
• bathing
• laundry
• soaking