/lak"reuh meuh tawr'ee, -tohr'ee/ , adj., n., pl. lachrymatories .
adj.
1. of, pertaining to, or causing the shedding of tears.
n.
2. Also called lachrymal . a small, narrow-necked vase found in ancient Roman tombs, formerly thought to have been used to catch and keep the tears of bereaved friends.
Also, lacrimatory .
[ 1650-60; (n.) lachrymatorium, equiv. to lachryma ( re ) to shed tears + -torium -TORY 2 ; (adj.) lachrymatorius, equiv. to lachryma ( re ) + -torius -TORY 1 ; see LACHRYMAL ]