lave (l v)v. laved, lav·ing, laves v.tr.1. To wash; bathe. 2. To lap or wash against. 3. To refresh or soothe as if by washing: "The quiet and the cool laved her" Edna Ferber. v.intr. Archaic To wash oneself.
[Middle English laven, from Old English gelafian and from Old French laver, both from Latin lav re; see leu( )- in Indo-European roots.] |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Verb | 1. | lave - wash or flow against; "the waves laved the shore"flow - cover or swamp with water |
| 2. | lave - cleanse (one's body) with soap and watercleanse, clean - clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing; "clean up before you see your grandparents"; "clean your fingernails before dinner" wash - to cleanse (itself or another animal) by licking; "The cat washes several times a day" scrub up, scrub - wash thoroughly; "surgeons must scrub prior to an operation" gargle, rinse - rinse one's mouth and throat with mouthwash; "gargle with this liquid" hush - wash by removing particles; "Wash ores" |
| 3. | lave - wash one's face and hands; "She freshened up in the bathroom" |