lavatory

Definitions

lav (wash) + -ory (place where) = 'the place where you wash.' Originally a washroom; over time it became a polite, slightly formal word for the toilet itself.

Why It Means This

Lavatory shows how a word for washing drifted to mean the toilet. Since the room held both a basin and a toilet, the 'washing place' name politely came to stand for the whole room — and then chiefly the toilet. It now sounds formal or British; on planes the sign still reads 'Lavatory.'

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Please return to your seat; the lavatory is occupied.

• 2.

  The public lavatory at the station was surprisingly clean.