bathe

present singular third person bathes · participle present bathing · participle past bathed · past bathed

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

   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.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 123

   1 more example

   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.

   1876, Eliza Bisbee Duffey, Our Behaviour: A Manual of Etiquette and Dress of the Best American Society, Philadelphia

2. intransitiveTo 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.'

   1953, Ian Fleming, “Vesper”, in Casino Royale, London: Pan Books, published 1955, page 150

3. transitiveTo 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. transitiveTo apply water or other liquid to; to suffuse or cover with liquid.

   The nurse bathed his wound with a sponge.

   5 more examples

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

   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.

   1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXXII”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 51

   At this sound, which she had not heard for twelve years, little Elizabeth felt her heart so affected that she could contain herself no longer, but throwing her arms about John's neck, she bathed his cheeks with her tears.

   1828, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, volume I, London: William Harrison Ainsworth, page 303

   Vorpal, eupeptically bubbling greetings, bathed a sausage in a swimming plate of sauce.

   1956, Anthony Burgess, Time for a Tiger (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 22

5. figurativelyintransitivetransitiveTo cover or surround.

   The room was bathed in moonlight.

   2 more examples

   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.

   2011 April 10, Alistair Magowan, “Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle”, in BBC Sport

6. intransitiveTo sunbathe.

   The women bathed in the sun.

plural bathes

1. UKcolloquialThe 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.

   1 more example

   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.

   1885, Mrs. Forrester, “Retribution”, in Although He Was a Lord and Other Tales (Collection of British Authors, Tauchnitz Edition; volume 2327), Leipzig: [Christian] Bernhard Tauchnitz, page 140