launder

[ lawn-der, lahn- ]
/ ˈlɔn dər, ˈlɑn- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR launder ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to wash laundry.
to undergo washing and ironing: The shirt didn't launder well.

noun

(in ore dressing) a passage carrying products of intermediate grade and residue in water suspension.
Metallurgy. a channel for conveying molten steel to a ladle.

Origin of launder

1300–50; 1970–75 for def 3; Middle English: launderer, syncopated variant of lavandere, lavendere washer of linen < Middle French lavandier(e) < Medieval Latin lavandārius (masculine), lavandāria (feminine), equivalent to Latin lavand- (gerund stem of lavāre to wash) + -ārius, -āria -ary; see -er2)

OTHER WORDS FROM launder

Words nearby launder

launch pad, launch shoe, launch vehicle, launch window, launcher, launder, launderette, laundress, laundrette, laundromat, laundry

British Dictionary definitions for launderable

launder
/ (ˈlɔːndə) /

verb

to wash, sometimes starch, and often also iron (clothes, linen, etc)
(intr) to be capable of being laundered without shrinking, fading, etc
(tr) to process (something acquired illegally) to make it appear respectable, esp to process illegally acquired funds through a legitimate business or to send them to a foreign bank for subsequent transfer to a home bank

noun

a water trough, esp one used for washing ore in mining

Derived forms of launder

launderer, noun

Word Origin for launder

C14 (n, meaning: a person who washes linen): changed from lavender washerwoman, from Old French lavandiere, ultimately from Latin lavāre to wash