Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A communal toilet of a type often used in a camp or barracks.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A privy; a water-closet; especially, a water-closet in a public place, as in factories, schools, barracks, hospitals, etc.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A privy, or water-closet, esp. in a camp, hospital, etc.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun a very simple toilet facility, usually just a pit or trench. See also the slang terms john and johnny house.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a public toilet in a military area

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[From French latrines, privies, from Old French, from Latin lātrīna, privy, from lavātrīna, bath, privy; see leu(ə)- in Indo-European roots.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin lātrīna.

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Examples

  • The latrine is within the barbed wire at a little distance from the quarters with two seats and a urinal (Pit-type).

    Work Camp Klein Kirchheim 2010

  • This drawing of a latrine is painted on a wall next to the main square in San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca.

    Is there a doctor in the house? 2000

  • This drawing of a latrine is painted on a wall next to the main square in San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca.

    Is there a doctor in the house? 2000

  • "We need a reliable supply of drinking water, mattresses and bedding, as well as kitchen utensils," says Zeenat, adding that "a latrine is a priority."

    Joop Koopman: Poorest in Pakistan Journey Toward a Better Life Joop Koopman 2010

  • "We need a reliable supply of drinking water, mattresses and bedding, as well as kitchen utensils," says Zeenat, adding that "a latrine is a priority."

    Joop Koopman: Poorest in Pakistan Journey Toward a Better Life Joop Koopman 2010

  • I growled that I didn't put any faith in latrine-gossip - especially if the latrine was a Hindoo one, and at this one of the older men, Sardul something-or-other, shook his head and says gravely:

    Fiancée 2010

  • And the spot Joe and I had chosen for our latrine was a good forty yards from the tent.

    The Children of the Lost FRANKLIN W. DIXON 2009

  • And the spot Joe and I had chosen for our latrine was a good forty yards from the tent.

    The Children of the Lost FRANKLIN W. DIXON 2009

  • On my first visit, I discovered that the latrine was a couple of holes in the ground that you squatted over to relieve yourself.

    Finch, Melvin W. 1991

  • On my first visit, I discovered that the latrine was a couple of holes in the ground that you squatted over to relieve yourself.

    Reeder, William S. Jr. 1991

Comments

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  • At children's camps in the 1940's when we had to dig our own trenches, and more recently they referred to them as lats.

    May 22, 2012

  • I suppose there was terrible confusion with people using the third person singular of the verb 'to lat'.

    May 23, 2012

  • I suppose this is where I should point out that the singular form of the old Latvian coin is actually lats.

    May 23, 2012