Sunbaths

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of lying in the sun to absorb its rays for enjoyment or relaxation
2. Engaging in activities outdoors under sunlight, often associated with health benefits or leisure activities
3. The practice of lying exposed to sunlight to gain warmth and enjoyment while relaxing

Etymology: "Sunbaths" is the plural of "sunbath," a compound built from two plain English words: "sun" and "bath." The pairing is transparent. A bath is an immersion in water, and by analogy a "sunbath" is an immersion in sunlight, the same idea of wholly surrounding the body with something, only with light and heat rather than water. The plural simply counts separate spells of this exposure. Because the compound is so direct, it needs no separate history to be understood: each element carries its original meaning straight into the joined word.