▪ I. lavant, n.
(ˈlævənt)
[? subst. use of next.]
(See quot. 1774.)
| 1774 G. White Selborne xix. (1789) 174 The land-springs, which we call lavants, break out much on the downs of Sussex, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. 1875 Sussex Gloss. s.v., How it did rain! It ran down the street in a lavant. 1900 Academy 28 Apr. 365/1 The waterings and ‘lavants’ from the hills leave her [Rye] arid. |
▪ II. † lavant, a. Obs.
[a. F. lavant, pr. pple. of laver to wash.]
That bathes; given to bathing.
| 1661 Lovell Hist. Anim. & Min. Introd. a 5, Birds..are..pulveratricious lavant, as the pigeon, ring-dove [etc.]. |