Re: Word origin

Posted by James Briggs on May 13, 2002

In Reply to: Re: word origin posted by Bob on May 13, 2002

: : what is the origns of the word lavation?

: From the dictionry
: One entry found for lavation.

:
: Main Entry: la·va·tion
: Pronunciation: lA-'vA-sh&n
: Function: noun
: Etymology: Latin lavation-, lavatio, from lavare
: Date: 15th century
: : the act or an instance of washing or cleansing

Still retained in British English as 'Lavatory', but confined to the 'small room' of the house, not the bathroom - ie the place where the bath is and not the 'toilet'! Thus, another difference between various brands of English.
: Those of us who remember the old Latin Mass remember the Lavabo, the ritual washing