Lavatory
(Lat. lavatorium), a cistern or trough to wash in. There was usually a lavatory in the cloisters of monastic establishments, at which the inmates washed their hands and faces, also the surplices and other vestments; some are still extant. This name is also given to the piscina (q.v.). In the south of Germany the lavatory is an important feature resembling a baptistery; it is a separate chamber, square or octagonal, standing on one side of the cloister-court, with a reservoir of water or a fountain in the middle, and watertroughs around the sides for washing at.-Parker, Glossary, s.v.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More