Lavabo

Quick meaning: Lavabo is a noun meaning (Christianity) A ritual involving the washing of one's hands at a church's offertory before handling the Eucharist.

Meaning

(Christianity) A ritual involving the washing of one's hands at a church's offertory before handling the Eucharist.

More Meanings

1. (Christianity) The small towel used to dry the priest's hands following the ritual.
2. A washbasin, particularly (Christianity) the one in a church used in the ritual.
3. (architecture) A trough used for washing at some medieval monasteries.
4. (humorous, euphemistic) A lavatory: a room used for urination and defecation.

Example Sentences

These small liturgical towels got […] the name of Lavabo cloths or Lavaboes.

[…] the […] pontiff, as he […] moved his hands […] at the Lavabo, or at the various benedictions […]

Mr. Pond fussed out and she heard the door of the little lavabo in the passage open with a loud creak.

Word Forms

• lavabos
• lavaboes

Synonyms for lavabo

Depending on context, synonyms include lavatory, washbasin, bathroom, latrine, necessarium, toilet.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include washbasin, washbowl, rite, lavatory, pedilavium, labis.

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