Standard Lemma guide

pedilavium

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /pɛ.dɪˈleɪ.vɪ.əm/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /ˌpɛ.dəˈleɪ.vi.əm/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The rite of foot-washing based on the act carried out by Jesus Christ on his disciples at the Last Supper. Depending on the church or denomination, it may be carried out at baptism, during Holy Communion, or as part of a Maundy Thursday service; maundy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: Christianity

Examples

  • Part of the church service on Maundy Thursday is the pedilavium.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A footbath carried out for therapeutic purposes; a pediluvium.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

Topics: medicine, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin pedilavium (“footbath”), from Latin pedi- (“foot”) (from pēs (“foot”)) + lavāre (“to wash”) + -ium (suffix forming abstract nouns).