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Origin and history of lavish

lavish(adj.)

"spending or bestowing profusely," mid-15c., laves, from Old French lavasse, lavache (n.) "a torrent of rain, deluge" (15c.), from laver "to wash," from Latin lavare "to wash" (from PIE root *leue- "to wash"). Related: Lavishly; lavishness.

lavish(v.)

"spend or bestow profusely," 1540s, from lavish (adj.). Related: Lavished; lavisher; lavishing.

also from 1540s

Entries linking to lavish

*leue-

*leuə-, Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to wash."

It might form all or part of: ablution; alluvium; deluge; dilute; elution; lather; latrine; launder; lautitious; lavage; lavation; lavatory; lave; lavish; lotion; lye.

It might also be the source of: Greek louein "to wash, bathe;" Latin lavare "to wash," luere "to wash;" Old Irish loathar "basin," Breton laouer "trough;" Old English leaþor "lather," læg "lye."

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    squander
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    ware
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