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., trans. 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, trans. 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., trans. 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].
