▪ I. lotion, n.
(ˈləʊʃən)
Also 5 loscion, 6 locion, lotyon.
[ad. L. lōtiōn-em washing, f. lavāre (ppl. stem laut-, lōt-) to wash: see lave v.]
† 1. gen. The action of washing (the body), ablution. Also, washing with a medicinal preparation (cf. 3). Obs.
| 1549 Latimer 6th Serm. bef. Edw. VI, U j b, Their doctrine was vnsauery, it was but of Lotiones [misprinted Loliones] of decimacions of anets seade, and Cummyn and suche gere. 1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physicke 43/2 Everye weeke twice washe his head, and after the lotion of the same, strawe agayne of this poulder in the sores. 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 64 Their customary lotions, and daily frequenting of the Bannias. 1659 H. L'Estrange Alliance Div. Off. 152 It was..necessary that they should be washed and cleansed before they entered the sacred Font: This day was set apart for that lotion. 1707 Floyer Physic. Pulse-Watch 206 The Lotion of the Head, Feet and Hands. 1797 Encycl. Brit. X. 297 Lotion, is, strictly speaking, such washing as concerns beautifying the skin. |
b. Eccl. = lavatory 2 a. ? Obs.
| 1529 Will of J. Robinson (Somerset Ho.), Between the effectory and the first locion. 1552 in Money Ch. Goods in Berks (1879) 39 Two towelles one for the communyon thother for Drieng after lotyon. 1599 Sandys Europæ Spec. (1632) 179 In the Priests Lotions at Masse. |
† 2. The ‘washing’ of metals, medicines, etc. in water to cleanse them from impurities, etc. Obs.
| 1612 Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. (1653) 272 Lotion is a preparation of medicaments by water, or some other liquor to remove some evil and hurtful thing, and to procure some good and profitable quality in them. 1686 W. Harris tr. Lemery's Course Chym. i. ix. (ed. 3) 284 But let there be never so many lotions they can never wash away a certain inveloping or cover that is given to the Antimony by the fixt Saltpetre. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters I. 83 The Chemist..uses [water] for..precipitation, lotion or ablution, crystallisation, distillation [etc.]. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 137 Separated by lotion and coction. |
3. Pharm. A liquid preparation used externally for healing wounds, relieving pain, beautifying the skin, etc.
| c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 165 marg., A loscion for wondis within the brest. 1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physicke 308/2 [A recipe for] a precious vulnerarye water, or lotion, which on divers Persons hath bin tryed. 1606 Warner Alb. Eng. xvi. ci. (1612) 400 And ye that haue the Aire parfum'd, bathe oft in Lotions sweete. 1758 Johnson Idler No. 40 ¶5 The vender..sells a lotion that repels pimples. 1780 Cowper Progr. Err. 299 To hide the shocking features of her face Her form with dress and lotion they repair. 1807–26 S. Cooper First Lines Surg. (ed. 5) 338 A drachm of Bates's camphorated lotion in two ounces of water. 1883 J. Hawthorne Dust I. 24 Bathe the shoulder with a lotion. |
4. slang. Alcoholic drink.
| 1876 Hindley Adv. Cheap Jack 82 The one who could take the most ‘lotion’ without being so [sc. drunk]. |
▪ II. lotion, v. nonce-wd.
(ˈləʊʃən)
[f. lotion n.]
trans. To treat with lotions.
| 1768 Foote Devil on 2 Sticks iii. Wks. 1799 II. 275 Full power..to pill, bolus, lotion,..and poultice, all persons. |