[a. F. lavement, f. laver to wash; cf. LAVAMENT.]

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  1.  The action of washing, or cleansing. rare.

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1650.  Ashmole, Chym. Collect., 23. In the fourth distillation follows the Lavement.

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1891.  [R. E. Forrest], in Cornh. Mag., March, 323. Those down below pause in the lavement of their hands.

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  2.  Med. An injection.

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1794.  [J. Williams], Crying Ep. to Col. Mack, 18.

        Bring a hot lavement, and infuse it Mack,
Lord what a way I’m in—good lack!

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1825.  W. Heberden, trans. Cicero’s Lett. to Atticus, x. 13. He ordered them to come again the next day, as he wanted to bathe, and was taking a lavement.

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1872.  Contemp. Rev., XXI. 149. The application of lavements to women and children.

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1876.  Curling, Dis. Rectum (ed. 4), 48. They have regularly used the cold-water lavements.

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