Moonbathing

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Lying outdoors to bask in the soft glow of the moon, much as one would sunbathe in daylight
2. Relaxing exposed to moonlight for its calming or restorative effect on the body and mind
3. Taking in the light of the full moon while lounging outside, often for pleasure or relaxation

Etymology: "Moonbathing" is the present participle and gerund of "moonbathe", a verb formed by combining "moon" with "bathe" on the model of "sunbathe". The older verb "sunbathe" supplied the pattern: just as lying in the sun was called sunbathing, lying out in moonlight came to be described the same way. The result is a playful coinage that treats moonlight as something a person can immerse themselves in, much as water or sunshine is. The verb is simply a compound of two plain English words, so its history is short. Its meaning stays literal: to expose oneself to the light of the moon, usually for pleasure or relaxation, rather than to bathe in water under it.