Skip to main content
lavabo

lavabo

9.9
A basin in a church used for washing hands before a service
  • noun
  • /ləˈvɑːboʊ/
  • Jargon
translation icon : lavabo
  • In the church, the lavabo symbolizes the importance of purification before rituals.

Examples

  • The priest washed his hands in the lavabo before the ceremony began.

  • After the baptism, the guests lined up to use the lavabo for handwashing.

  • I do not want the lavabo.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • One can also see when rinsing the comb in a lavabo.

    Blog text (5)
  • By the time Father Cregan got to the Lavabo, Dermott's eyes were on Patsy O'Rourke in the seventh pew.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

basin
vslavabo
  • UK
12 1.0

A fixed bowl in a bathroom connected to water and a drain for washing hands and face

serves church hand washing contexts rather than general bathroom sinks
washbasin
vslavabo
  • UK
4 2.4

A fixed bowl in a bathroom used for washing hands and face

is typically found in churches for hand washing rather than bathrooms
washbowl
vslavabo
1 2.4

A bowl or basin for cleaning hands and face

is mainly associated with church hand washing rather than general wash use
urceole
vslavabo
  • Archaic
9.9

A small container for washing hands before a religious ceremony

is used in churches for ordinary hand washing rather than ritual water storage
stoop
vslavabo
  • Archaic
9.6

A bowl of holy water at a church entrance for people to touch

is used inside churches for washing hands rather than holding holy water
handbasin
vslavabo
  • UK
2.0

A small sink fixed to a wall for washing hands

is found in churches and used for washing hands rather than bathroom fixtures
wash-hand basin
vslavabo
  • UK
3.2

A bowl fixed to a wall or on a stand where people clean their hands and face

is used in church settings specifically rather than general bathroom fixtures

Surface Forms

lavabo singular
lavabos plural

Etymology

Lavabo comes from the Latin word lavare which means 'to wash', and the Latin form lavabo originally meant 'I will wash'. That's why a lavabo is a small basin used for washing hands, and it is related to the English word lavatory.