lav-, lava-, lavat-

(Latin: wash, washing; bathe, bathing; by extension, clean, cleaning)

From Latin lavare, "to wash, to bathe" and is related to Latin luere, luto-, "to wash".

lavative (s) (noun), lavatives (pl)
A drink to wash down food or medicine.
lavatorial (adjective), more lavatorial, most lavatorial
1. Of or pertaining to washing.
2. Relating to a style of architecture or decoration alleged to resemble that used for public toilets.
lavatorium, lavitorium (s) (noun); lavatoriums, lavitoriums (pl)
A place for washing.
lavatory (s) (noun), lavatories (pl)
1. A vessel for washing, a laver, a bath.
2. In certain churches, the ritual washing of the celebrant's hands at the offertory and then after the cleansing of the vessels following the communion.
3. A room equipped with washing and often toilet facilities; a "bathroom".
4. A washbowl or basin, especially one permanently installed with running water.
5. A flush toilet.
lavature (s) (noun), lavatures (pl)
A wash or a lotion for cleansing.
lave (verb), laves; laved; laving
1. To wash; to bathe; to wash one's face and hands with soap and water.
2. To lap or wash or flow against: The waves laved the shore.
3. To refresh or soothe as if by washing.
lavement (s) (noun), lavements (pl)
A washing.
laver (s) (noun), lavers (pl)
1. In the Old Testament, a large basin upon a foot or pedestal in the court of the Hebrew tabernacle and subsequently in the temple, containing water for the ablutions of the priests and for the washing of the sacrifices in the temple service.
2. In some churches, the font or water of baptism.
3. Any spiritually cleansing agency.
4. A basin, bowl, or cistern to wash in.
5. Any bowl or pan for water.
6. Any of several dried, edible seaweeds of the genera Porphyra (the red algae) and Ulva (the green algae).
lavish (verb), lavishes; lavished; lavishing
1. To give or to bestow in abundance: As a waiter, Henry lavished a great deal of attention on his customers.
2. Expended, bestowed, or occurring in profusion: Monroe was lavishing a great deal of money for his mother's 96th birthday party.
3. To expend or give in great amounts or without limit: Her public relations budget allowed Heather to lavish gifts on her prospective clients, hoping to get their contracts for her boss.
4. Etymology: first recorded in 1469, from Middle French lavasse, from Old French lavache, "torrent (of rain), deluge", from laver, "to wash"; and from Latin lavare, "to wash".
lavish (adjective), more lavish, most lavish
1. Characterized by extravagance and profusion; pertaining to giving or using a large amount of something: The supervisor of the department gave lavish praise to her employees.
2. Descriptive of having a very rich and expensive quality: Norbert and Lorna had a lavish party for their wedding celebration in their lavish home.
Very generous or excessive.
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lavishly (adverb), more lavishly, most lavishly
1. Pertaining to profuse expense; prodigally; wastefully.
2. A reference to spending or giving freely and in large amounts, often to excess.
lavishness (s) (noun) (no plural)
1. Great abundance and profusion: There was a lavishness of ornaments or expenditures.
2. Etymology: from Middle French lavasse, from Old French lavache, "torrent (of rain), deluge", from laver, "to wash"; from Latin lavare, "to wash.
lotion (s) (noun), lotions (pl)
1. A medicated liquid for external application.
2. Any of various externally applied cosmetic liquids.
3. A liquid, usually an aqueous medicinal preparation containing one or more insoluble substances and applied externally for skin disorders.
4. A liquid cosmetic preparation usually containing alcohol and a cleansing, softening, or astringent agent and applied to the skin especially of the face and hands .
5. Etymology: first known recording was about 1400, from Old French lotion, from Latin lotionem (lotio), "a washing", from lotus, popular form of lautus, past participle of lavere "to wash".
peritoneal lavage (s) (noun), peritoneal lavages (pl)
The instillation and retrieval of a physiologic solution in the peritoneal cavity in order to examine the effluent for abnormal cells, bacteria, or evidence of internal bleeding following trauma.
pleural lavage (s) (noun), pleural lavages (pl)
A medical cleansing of the rib cavity.

Related "wash" words: balneo-; clys-; luto-; plyno-.