\Lav"en*der\, n. [OE. lavendre, F. lavande, It. lavanda
lavender, a washing, fr. L. lavare to wash; cf. It.
lsavendola, LL. lavendula. So called because it was used in
bathing and washing. See {Lave}. to wash, and cf.
{Lavender}.]
1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant of the genus {Lavandula} ({L.
   vera}), common in the south of Europe. It yields and oil
   used in medicine and perfumery. The {Spike lavender} ({L.
   Spica}) yields a coarser oil (oil of spike), used in the
   arts.

2. The pale, purplish color of lavender flowers, paler and
   more delicate than lilac.

{Lavender cotton} (Bot.), a low, twiggy, aromatic shrub
   ({Santolina Cham[ae]cyparissus}) of the Mediterranean
   region, formerly used as a vermifuge, etc., and still used
   to keep moths from wardrobes. Also called {ground
   cypress}.

{Lavender water}, a perfume composed of alcohol, essential
   oil of lavender, essential oil of bergamot, and essence of
   ambergris.

{Sea lavender}. (Bot.) See {Marsh rosemary}.

{To lay in lavender}.
   (a) To lay away, as clothing, with sprigs of lavender.
   (b) To pawn. [Obs.]