LAV'ISH, adjective [I know not from what source we have received this word. It coincides in elements with Latin liber, free, liberal, and lavo, to wash.] 1. Prodigal; expending or bestowing with profusion; profuse. He was lavish of expense; lavish of praise; lavish of encomiums; lavish of censure; lavish of blood and treasure. 2. Wasteful; expending without necessity; liberal to a fault. 3. Wild; unrestrained. Curbing his lavish spirit. LAV'ISH, verb transitive 1. To expend or bestow with profusion; as, to lavish praise or encomiums. 2. To waste; to expend without necessity or use; to squander; as, to lavish money on vices and amusements.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI