esp. (in mining) one used for washing ore. a channel for conveying molten metal from a furnace or container to a ladle or mold. laun*der*er n. Middle English (as a noun denoting a person who washes linen): contraction of lavender, from Old French lavandier, based on Latin lavanda 'things to be washed', from lavare 'to wash'. laun*der*ette (also laun*drette) n. a laundromat. laun*dress n. a woman who is employed to launder clothes and linens. Laun*dro*mat (also laun*dro*mat) n. TRADEMARK an establishment with coin-operated washing machines