"He laved his limbs in wild debauchery, the frenzy of which astounded even his tough vassals."
—Lord of Samarcand
lave1
(leɪv)
v. laved, lav•ing. v.t.
1. to wash; bathe.
2. (of a river, sea, etc.) to flow along, against, or past; wash.
3. Obs. to ladle; pour or dip with a ladle.
v.i.
4. Archaic. to bathe.
[before 900; Middle English, partly < Old French laver < Latin lavāre to wash, partly representing Old English lafian to pour water on, wash, itself perhaps < Latin lavāre]
lave2
(leɪv)
n. Scot.
the remainder; residue
[before 1000; Middle English (Scots); Old English lāf; c. Old High German leiba, Old Norse leif, Gothic laiba; akin to leave1]
Related Words
lav·ish
(lăv′ĭsh)
adj.
1. Characterized by or produced with extravagance and profusion
2. Immoderate in giving or bestowing; unstinting
tr.v. lav·ished, lav·ish·ing, lav·ish·es
1. To give or bestow in abundance; shower
2. To give something in abundance to someone
[Middle English laves, probably from Old French lavasse, downpour, from laver, to wash, from Latin lavāre; see lave.]
lav′ish·er n.
lav′ish·ly adv.
lav′ish·ness n.
