toilet
UK: ˈtɔɪ.lət | US: ˈtɔɪ.lət
n. a fixed receptacle for urination and defecation, typically with a flushing mechanism
n. the process of washing, dressing, and grooming oneself (archaic)
n. a room containing a toilet; a bathroom
toilet = toil<cloth> + et<diminutive suffix>
- toil (from Old French toile, meaning "cloth") originally referred to a cloth used for grooming or wrapping.
- et (diminutive suffix in French) indicates a smaller or specific version of the original object.
Etymology Origin:
The word toilet traces back to the French toilette, meaning "a small cloth" used for grooming. Over time, it evolved to refer to the act of grooming (e.g., "toilette" as a dressing ritual) and later to the room where grooming occurred. By the 19th century, it narrowed further to its modern meaning of a plumbing fixture, influenced by the idea of a "toilet room" where washing and waste disposal took place.
She cleaned the toilet thoroughly before the guests arrived.
The hotel room had a spacious toilet and shower.
In the 18th century, a lady’s toilet involved elaborate hairstyling.
The public toilet was out of order, causing inconvenience.
He accidentally dropped his phone into the toilet.