bathe

verb

1. 1

   To clean oneself by immersion in water or using water; to take a bath, have a bath.

   We do not bathe to make ourselves clean, but to keep clean, and for the sake of its health-giving and invigorating effects. Once a week a warm bath, at about 100°, may be used, with plenty of soap, in order to thoroughly cleanse the pores of the skin.

   A Greek historian Phylarchus describes a white root indigenous to India that caused eunuchism when a person bathed in water in which the root was steeped.

2. 2

   To immerse oneself, or part of the body, in water for pleasure or refreshment; to swim.

   'I feel very guilty,' she said sitting down beside him. 'But I've been bathing every day while you've been lying here.'

3. 3

   To clean a person by immersion in water or using water; to give someone a bath.

   We bathe our baby before going to bed; other parents do it in the morning if they have time.

4. 4

   To apply water or other liquid to; to suffuse or cover with liquid.

   She bathed her eyes with liquid to remove the stinging chemical.

   The nurse bathed his wound with a sponge.

   The incoming tides bathed the coral reef.

   All subtle thought, all curious fears, ⁠Borne down by gladness so complete, ⁠She bows, she bathes the Saviour’s feet With costly spikenard and with tears.

5. 5

   figurativeTo cover or surround.

   The room was bathed in moonlight.

   A dense fog bathed the city streets.

   Although the encounter was bathed in sunshine, the match failed to reach boiling point but that will be of little concern to Gerard Houllier's team, who took a huge step forward before they face crucial matches against their relegation rivals.

6. 6

   To sunbathe.

   The women bathed in the sun.

noun

1. 1

   The act of swimming or bathing, especially in the sea, a lake, or a river; a swimming bath.

   I'm going to have a midnight bathe tonight.

   I do not feel disposed to ask any questions, but devote myself entirely to the Governoress, who takes me over to the bathing-house in her boat. I have had my bathe, and am strolling along the sands, waiting for the Countess.

Forms

plural

bathes

past tense

bathed

past participle

bathed

present participle

bathing

third person singular

bathes