lavabo

/lə'veibou/

Thân thiện

A woman washes her hands at the lavabo.

Definition

Noun: 1. A basin for washing the hands: A fixed sink or bowl, typically with taps for water, used for washing one's hands. 2. (Ecclesiastical) A ritual washing or its utensil: In Christian liturgical practice, the ceremonial washing of the celebrant's hands during the Mass, or the basin and towel used for this rite.

Examples of Usage

• General meaning:
  • The old mansion had a beautiful marble lavabo in the guest bathroom.
  • After gardening, she washed the soil from her hands at the outdoor lavabo.
• Ecclesiastical meaning:
  • During the offertory, the priest performed the lavabo, symbolizing inner purification.
  • The altar server brought the lavabo dish and towel to the celebrant.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in architectural or historical contexts to describe ornate or fixed hand-washing fixtures, especially those from earlier periods.
• In monastic settings, a lavabo can refer to a large communal washing area or fountain.

Variants and Related Words

• Lavatory (noun): A room or compartment containing a toilet and washbasin. This is a more common modern term derived from the same Latin root (, meaning "to wash").
• Ablution (noun): The act of washing oneself, often used in religious or formal contexts (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Washbasin
• Hand basin
• Wash-hand basin (British English)

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary, non-ecclesiastical meaning (a basin for washing hands) is largely synonymous with "washbasin," though "lavabo" sounds more formal or archaic.
• The specific religious meaning (the ritual or its utensils) is unique to this word and is not interchangeable with the general term "washbasin" in that context.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a basin for washing the hands (`wash-hand basin' is a British expression)

Từ đồng nghĩa

• washbasin
• handbasin
• washbowl
• wash-hand basin