Definition of lave

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< lavatory

lavender >

lave    (lv) KEY 

VERB:
laved, lav·ing, laves
VERB:
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).

VERB:
intr.
Archaic

To wash oneself.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English laven, from Old English gelafian, and from Old French laver both from Latin lavre; see leu()- in Indo-European roots