from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lavatory \Lav"a*to*ry\, n.; pl. {Lavatories}. [L. lavatorium:
cf. lavatoire. See {Lave} to wash, and cf. {Laver}.]
1. A place for washing.
[1913 Webster]
2. A basin or other vessel for washing in.
[1913 Webster]
3. A wash or lotion for a diseased part.
[1913 Webster]
4. A place where gold is obtained by washing.
[1913 Webster]
5. A room containing one or more sinks for washing, as well
as one or more toilet fixtures; also called {bathroom},
{toilet}, and sometimes {commode}. Commode and toilet may
refer to a room with only a toilet fixture, but without a
sink.
Syn: toilet, lavatory, can, facility, john, privy, bathroom.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]