toilet

toilet
toilet (n.) 1530s, "cover or bag for clothes," from M.Fr. toilette "a cloth, bag for clothes," dim. of toile "cloth, net" (see TOIL (Cf. toil) (n.2)). Sense evolution is to "act or process of dressing" (1680s); then "a dressing room" (1819), especially one with a lavatory attached; then "lavatory or porcelain plumbing fixture" (1895), an American euphemistic use. Toilet paper is attested from 1884 (the Middle English equivalent was arse-wisp). Toilet training is recorded from 1940.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Toilet — Toi let, n. [F. toilette, dim. of toile cloth. See {Toil} a net.] 1. A covering of linen, silk, or tapestry, spread over a table in a chamber or a dressing room. [1913 Webster] 2. A dressing table. Pope. [1913 Webster] 3. Act or mode of dressing …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • toilet — [toi′lit] n. [MFr toilette, orig., cloth covering used in shaving or hairdressing < OFr toile, cloth: see TOIL2] 1. Obs. a dressing table 2. the process of dressing or grooming oneself, esp., of dressing one s hair 3. toilette; dress; attire;… …   English World dictionary

  • toilet — is the commonest word in BrE for what used to be called water closet (or WC) and is still sometimes called lavatory. It is the word normally used on signs and notices when more specific reference to ladies and gentlemen (or gents) is not given.… …   Modern English usage

  • toilet — (ingl.; pronunc. [tualét]; Hispam.) m. Toilette …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • toilet — ► NOUN 1) a large bowl for urinating or defecating into, typically plumbed into a sewage system. 2) the process of washing oneself, dressing, and attending to one s appearance. ORIGIN originally denoting a cloth cover for a dressing table, later… …   English terms dictionary

  • Toilet — This article is about a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human excrement. For a room containing a toilet, see toilet (room). For other uses, see toilet (disambiguation) …   Wikipedia

  • toilet — noun 1 bowl with a seat, used for passing solid waste ADJECTIVE ▪ flush, flushing ▪ The caravan is equipped with a sink and a flush toilet. ▪ portable ▪ chemical, compost ( …   Collocations dictionary

  • toilet */*/ — UK [ˈtɔɪlət] / US noun Word forms toilet : singular toilet plural toilets 1) [countable] a structure like a seat over a hole where you get rid of waste from your body Can I use your toilet? a) a room in a house or public building that contains a… …   English dictionary

  • toilet — n. 1 = LAVATORY. 2 the process of washing oneself, dressing, etc. (make one s toilet). 3 the cleansing of part of the body after an operation or at the time of childbirth. Phrases and idioms: toilet paper (or tissue) paper for cleaning oneself… …   Useful english dictionary

  • toilet — toi|let [ tɔılət ] noun * 1. ) count a structure like a seat over a hole where you get rid of waste from your body: Can I use your toilet? a ) MAINLY BRITISH a BATHROOM b ) only before noun relating to a toilet: toilet facilities a toilet… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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