What does lavement mean?
Lavement is a formal and now uncommon noun for washing, especially the cleansing of the bowels by introducing liquid into the rectum. In older medical writing, it could denote the washing itself or the medicinal liquid used for that purpose, making it close in meaning to an enema but more explicitly associated with washing or evacuation. The word is encountered chiefly in historical texts rather than everyday contemporary English. Its appearance in older records may therefore reflect the vocabulary of medicine at a particular period rather than a specialized current treatment. Although somewhat clinical and old-fashioned today, lavement is useful for recognizing a once-standard term in historical writing. The word belongs to a family of Latin-derived expressions for washing, including lavage, lavatory, and ablution. It should not be confused with general irrigation, which can refer to washing a wound, body cavity, or surface as well as treatment of the bowel.
A washing, especially the cleansing of the bowels by introducing liquid into the rectum.
"The patient was given a lavement before the procedure."
Archaic and chiefly found in historical medical writing.
A washing or cleansing, especially a ritual washing.
"The ceremony included a lavement intended to signify purification."
This broader and ritual sense is rare and chiefly historical.
The plural is attested but rarely used because the headword itself is uncommon.
"The physician recorded several lavements in the patient's notes."
Its polite, literary sound conceals an unmistakably clinical meaning: a rectal washing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lavement come from?
The word comes through French lavement, from Medieval Latin lavamentum, a term meaning a washing or cleansing. Medieval Latin lavamentum was derived from Latin lavare, meaning “to wash.” Its English use developed particularly in medical contexts for washing or medicating the bowels.
Related word forms
How lavement is actually used
Formal, archaic, and uncommon in contemporary English. It is chiefly associated with medicine and historical writing rather than modern everyday speech.