bath-house
Definition
- Noun:
- A building equipped for bathing: "bath-house" refers to a structure or facility where people can bathe, often containing individual bathing rooms, showers, or communal bathing areas.
- A public bath: In historical or cultural contexts, a "bath-house" is a public establishment, such as a Roman bath, Turkish bath, or Japanese sento, used for cleansing and relaxation.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The ancient Roman bath-house was a popular social gathering place. (A building for bathing, often with social functions.)
- After a long hike, we went to the bath-house to wash off the dust. (A facility for personal hygiene.)
Advanced Usage
"to visit a bath-house": to go to a public bathing facility.
- In many cultures, visiting a bath-house is a weekly ritual for cleanliness and community. (A regular practice of using such a facility.)
"bath-house culture": the social customs and traditions surrounding public bathing.
- The bath-house culture in Finland includes saunas and cold plunges. (The traditions related to these facilities.)
Variants and Related Words
Bath (n): the act of washing oneself in a tub or pool of water.
- She took a hot bath to relax. (The act of bathing.)
Bathroom (n): a room in a house or building containing a bath or shower, toilet, and sink.
- The bathroom is down the hall. (A private bathing room.)
Bathhouse (n): an alternative spelling of "bath-house" (often used as one word).
- The old bathhouse has been renovated into a spa. (Same meaning as bath-house.)
Synonyms
- Public bath: a communal bathing facility.
- Bathing house: a building for bathing, often near a beach or pool.
- Plunge bath: a historical term for a large public bath.
Related Idioms
- "take the waters": to drink or bathe in mineral springs for health, often at a spa or bath-house.
- She went to the resort to take the waters at the historic bath-house. (To use the bathing facilities for therapeutic purposes.)