toilet
toilet Lexical Profile
toilet Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A fixed receptacle into which a person may urinate or defecate, typically consisting of a large bowl connected to a plumbing system for flushing waste.
"She called a plumber to fix the leaking toilet in the master bathroom."
British A room or small building containing a toilet.
"Excuse me, could you point me in the direction of the nearest toilet?"
The process of washing oneself, dressing, and attending to one's appearance.
"The aristocratic lady spent hours at her morning toilet before receiving guests."
• verb
To assist someone, such as a young child or a patient, in using the toilet.
"The nurse aide is responsible for feeding and toileting the elderly residents."
To use a toilet for the elimination of bodily waste.
"The new puppy is finally learning to toilet outside instead of on the living room rug."
To dress and groom oneself.
"She arose early and toileted meticulously in preparation for the royal ball."
Word Nuance & Usage
In American English, 'toilet' strictly refers to the plumbing fixture, and using it to refer to the room itself can be perceived as slightly blunt compared to 'bathroom' or 'restroom'; whereas in British English, 'toilet' is commonly used for both the fixture and the room.
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 16th century: from French 'toilette', a diminutive of 'toile' (cloth). It originally referred to a wrapper used for clothes, then a cloth covering a dressing table, later expanding to the act of dressing and grooming, and eventually to the room and plumbing fixture.