lav
Latinwash
About This Root
From Latin lavāre (to wash). Branches widely: direct washing (lavatory, laundry, launder, lave, ablution), things overflowing like a wash (lavish, deluge), diluting substances (dilute), and even lava (which 'washes' down a volcano). The connection to lotion and pollute shows how the 'washing' metaphor extends to liquids broadly.
Associated Words · 19
pollution
Contamination of the environment by harmful substances
laundry
Clothes to be washed; a place where clothes are washed
lavish
Very generous or extravagant; to give in excessive amounts
lava
Molten rock from a volcano; solidified volcanic rock
pollute
To contaminate with harmful substances; to corrupt
dilute
To weaken by adding liquid; having low concentration
avalanche
A mass of snow sliding down a mountain; an overwhelming flood of things
lotion
A liquid or cream applied to the skin for moisturizing or medicinal purposes
launder
To wash clothes; to disguise illegally obtained money as legitimate
deluge
A great flood or downpour; to overwhelm with water or a large amount of something
lavishly
In a generous or extravagant manner
dilution
The process of making something less concentrated
lavatory
A room with a toilet or sink; a bathroom
undiluted
Not diluted; pure and unadulterated
ablution
A ritual or ceremonial washing of the body
lave
To wash or bathe; (of water) to flow against something
lavishness
The quality of being extravagant or overly generous
lavander
Variant of lavender, a fragrant purple-flowered plant
diluted
Made weaker by adding liquid; reduced in strength