The difference between Lavatory and Washbasin
When used as nouns, lavatory means a vessel or fixture for washing, particularly: a laver: a washbasin. a bathtub. a piscina: the basin used for washing communion vessels. a lavabo: the basin used for washing one's hands before handling the eucharist. a baptismal font: the basin used for baptism, used figuratively for the washing away of sins. a plumbing fixture used for washing: a sink, whereas washbasin means a basin used for washing, particularly a permanently installed sink, fitted with a water supply and a drain, in which one may wash one's hands and face.
Lavatory is also adjective with the meaning: washing, or cleansing by washing.
check bellow for the other definitions of Lavatory and Washbasin
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Lavatory as a noun (archaic):
A vessel or fixture for washing, particularly: A laver: a washbasin. A bathtub. A piscina: the basin used for washing communion vessels. A lavabo: the basin used for washing one's hands before handling the Eucharist. A baptismal font: the basin used for baptism, used figuratively for the washing away of sins. A plumbing fixture used for washing: a sink.
Examples:
"Their 'bathroom' included a toilet and a lavatory but no bath."
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Lavatory as a noun (Christianity):
Handwashing, particularly The lavabo: the ritual washing of hands before handling the eucharist. The ritual washing of hands after using the piscina to clean the communion vessels.
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Lavatory as a noun (obsolete):
A liquid used in washing; a lotion; a wash; a rinse.
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Lavatory as a noun (dated):
A washroom: a room used for washing the face and hands.
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Lavatory as a noun (euphemism):
A room containing a toilet: a bathroom or WC .
Examples:
"Americans don't know '[[WC]]' and Brits mock '[[bathroom]]' but everyone usually understands '[[toilet]]' or '[[lavatory]]'."
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Lavatory as a noun (UK, New England):
A plumbing fixture for urination and defecation: a toilet.
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Lavatory as a noun (dated):
A place to wash clothes: a laundry.
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Lavatory as a noun (obsolete):
A place where gold is panned.
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Lavatory as a noun (obsolete):
A paved room in a mortuary where corpses are kept under a shower of disinfecting fluid.
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Lavatory as an adjective (dated):
Washing, or cleansing by washing.
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Washbasin as a noun:
A basin used for washing, particularly a permanently installed sink, fitted with a water supply and a drain, in which one may wash one's hands and face.