Word origin

Posted by James Briggs on May 13, 2002

In Reply to: 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

: Those of us who remember the old Latin Mass remember the Lavabo, the ritual washing

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.