washing-house

A woman carries a basket of laundry into the washing-house.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A building or place where clothes are washed: "washing-house" refers to a structure, often separate from a main dwelling, specifically used for laundering clothes. It may include facilities such as sinks, washboards, or washing machines.
   • A commercial laundry: In some historical or regional contexts, "washing-house" can denote a business establishment where laundry services are provided for customers.

Usage Examples

• (A building dedicated to washing clothes on a large estate.)
• (A shared facility for washing clothes.)
• (A commercial or community laundry.)

Advanced Usage

• "to go to the washing-house": A historical or regional phrase meaning to do laundry at a designated facility.
  • Before modern plumbing, every household would send someone to the washing-house once a week. (A routine task involving a separate building.)
• "washing-house day": A term used in some cultures to refer to the specific day of the week designated for laundry activities at a communal washing-house.
  • Monday was always washing-house day in our town. (A scheduled time for communal laundering.)

Variants and Related Words

• Washhouse (n): a common variant spelling of "washing-house," meaning the same thing.
  • The old washhouse is now a museum. (A historic building used for washing.)
• Wash (v): to clean with water and typically soap.
  • She needs to wash the curtains. (The act of cleaning.)
• Laundry (n): clothes or linens that need to be washed; also, a place where clothes are washed (more modern term).
  • He took the laundry to the laundromat. (A modern equivalent of a washing-house.)

Synonyms

• Laundry room: a room in a house or building where clothes are washed (more common in modern English).
• Washroom: a room for washing, though this often refers to a bathroom or restroom in some contexts.
• Scullery: a small room for washing dishes and other household tasks, sometimes including laundry.

Related Idioms

• To air one's dirty laundry in public: To discuss private matters or problems in public.
  • She told everyone about the argument, which is just airing her dirty laundry in public. (Revealing private issues.)
• To come out in the wash: For problems or secrets to be resolved or revealed over time.
  • Don't worry about the misunderstanding; it will all come out in the wash. (The truth will eventually be clear.)