lave Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb wash or flow against
    wash; lap.
    • the waves laved the shore
  2. verb cleanse (one's body) with soap and water
    wash.
  3. verb wash one's face and hands
    wash up.
    • She freshened up in the bathroom

WordNet

Lave transitive verb
Etymology
F. laver, L. lavare, akin to luere to wash, Gr. . Cf. Ablution, Deluge, Lavender, Lava, Lotion.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Laved ; present participle & verbal noun Laving
Definitions
  1. To wash; to bathe; as, to lave a bruise.
    His feet the foremost breakers lave. Byron.
Lave intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To bathe; to wash one's self.
    In her chaste current oft the goddess laves. Pope.
Lave transitive verb
Etymology
OE. laven. See Lavish.
Definitions
  1. To lade, dip, or pour out. Obs. Dryden.
Lave noun
Etymology
AS. laf the remainder, what is left. . See Leave.
Definitions
  1. The remainder; others. Scot. Bp. Hall.

Webster 1913