lavabo

washbasin, sink

noun la-va-BO Rare

Origin: From Latin lavabo (I shall wash), the opening word of a liturgical psalm sung while washing hands.

Usage Note

lavabo refers specifically to the hand-washing basin in a bathroom or toilet room. In everyday speech, French speakers often call the whole small bathroom les lavabos (plural). Do not confuse with l'évier, which is the kitchen sink.

Examples

"Il se lave les mains au lavabo."

Natural Translation

He washes his hands at the washbasin.

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