water-closet

A plumber installs a new water-closet in the bathroom.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A room containing a toilet: "water-closet" refers to a small room or compartment that contains a flush toilet, often abbreviated as "W.C." Historically, it specifically denotes a toilet that uses water to flush waste away, as opposed to an outhouse or dry latrine.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old house had a water-closet on the first floor, separate from the bathroom. (A small room with a flush toilet.)
  • In Victorian times, the water-closet was considered a modern luxury in urban homes. (A flush toilet facility.)

Advanced Usage

• "to use the water-closet": a polite or formal expression meaning to go to the toilet.

  • He excused himself to use the water-closet during the dinner party. (He went to the toilet.)

• "water-closet seat": the hinged seat of a flush toilet.

  • The water-closet seat needs to be replaced because it is cracked. (The toilet seat.)

Variants and Related Words

• Water-closet (W.C.) (n): an abbreviation commonly used on signs or in floor plans.

  • The building's floor plan marks the W.C. near the stairwell. (The water-closet location.)

• Water closet (n): a less common alternative spelling without a hyphen, meaning the same thing.

  • The water closet in the hotel room was clean and modern. (The flush toilet room.)

Synonyms

• Lavatory: a room equipped with a toilet and sink.
• Toilet: the fixture itself or the room containing it.
• Restroom: a public toilet facility.

Related Idioms

• "to go to the water-closet": a euphemism for using the toilet.

  • She quietly left the meeting to go to the water-closet. (She went to the toilet.)

• "Water-closet humor": jokes or comedy about toilets or bodily functions.

  • His water-closet humor was not appreciated at the formal dinner. (Toilet-related jokes.)