bather
(ˈbeɪðə(r))
[f. bathe v. + -er1.]
† 1. A bath-keeper, or attendant at a bath. Obs.
| 1636 Healey Theophrast. 40 Turning to the Bather or Bath-keeper, saith, Sir, now I thanke you for nothing. 1813 J. C. Hobhouse Journ. 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.
| 1716–8 Lady Montague Lett. I. xxix. 94 What degree of warmth the bathers please to have. c 1854 Stanley Sinai & Pal. vii. (1858) 315 Most of the bathers keep within the shelter of the bank. |
3. pl. Bathing trunks; a bathing suit. esp. Austral.
| 1945 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 XXVI. 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. |