lachrymatory

or lac·ri·ma·to·ry

[ lak-ruh-muh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
/ ˈlæk rə məˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

of, relating to, or causing the shedding of tears.

noun, plural lach·ry·ma·to·ries.

Also called lachrymal. a small, narrow-necked vase found in ancient Roman tombs, formerly thought to have been used to catch and keep the tears of bereaved friends.

Origin of lachrymatory

1650–60; (noun) < Medieval Latin lachrymātōrium, equivalent to lachrymā(re) to shed tears + -tōrium -tory2; (adj.) < Medieval Latin lachrymātōrius, equivalent to lachrymā(re) + -tōrius -tory1; see lachrymal

Words nearby lachrymatory

lachlan, lachryma christi, lachrymal, lachrymation, lachrymator, lachrymatory, lachrymose, lachute, lacing, lacinia, laciniate

Example sentences from the Web for lachrymatory

British Dictionary definitions for lachrymatory

lachrymatory
/ (ˈlækrɪmətərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -ries

a small vessel found in ancient tombs, formerly thought to hold the tears of mourners

adjective

a variant spelling of lacrimatory

Medical definitions for lachrymatory

lachrymatory
[ lăk′rə-mə-tôr′ē ]

adj.

Variant oflacrimatory