bathern.
/ˈbeɪðə/, U.S. /ˈbeɪðər/ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing oneself or body > [noun] > bathing > place for bathing > bath-house > baths keeper or attendant
bain keeper1569
bath-keeper1591
bathera1610
a1610 J. Healey tr. Theophrastus Characters 40 in tr. Epictetus Manuall (1636) Turning to the Bather or Bath-keeper, saith, Sir, now I thanke you for nothing.
1813 J. C. Hobhouse Journey 537 The appearance of the bathers..is most disgusting; and it requires some practice to bear patiently the kneading of your limbs, etc.
2. One who takes a bath.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing oneself or body > [noun] > bathing > one who takes a bath
bather1717
1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 1 Apr. (1965) I. 313 What degree of warmth the bathers have a mind to.
c1854 A. P. Stanley Sinai & Palestine (1858) vii. 315 Most of the bathers keep within the shelter of the bank.
3. plural. Bathing trunks; a bathing suit. esp. Australian.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > for specific purpose > swimming or bathing
bathing-dress1774
bathing-costume?a1832
costume1855
suit1864
bathing-suit1873
cossie1926
swimmer1929
togs1930
Speedo1933
swimsuit1934
bathers1945
bikini1948
bikini1957
monokini1964
tankini1985
burkini2002
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for legs > clothing for legs and lower body > [noun] > trousers > types of > (suitable) for specific purpose > for swimming or bathing
trunks1883
bathing-drawers1893
bathing trunks1895
bathing slips1904
Speedo1933
swimming trunks1943
bathers1945
cossie1958
baggies1962
jams1966
racer1969
1945 S. J. Baker Austral. Lang. ix. 183 Swimming costumes are known variously as togs, bathers.
1957 ‘N. Shute’ On Beach 3 You join us there for a swim. I could take the trailer and your bathers.
1965 J. R. Stow Merry-go-round in Sea i. 23 His mother sat by the water, on a red towel, in blue bathers.
1966 Southerly 26 175 The girl wore a blouse over her bathers.
1968 N. Marsh Clutch of Constables viii. 204 It was nothing, really... I'm a Sydneysider, don't forget, and I was in my bathers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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