picnic
|pic/nic|
A2
/ˈpɪknɪk/
outdoor meal
Etymology
Etymology Information
'picnic' originates from the French word 'pique-nique', where 'piquer' meant 'to pick' and 'nique' was a nonsense rhyming word.
Historical Evolution
'pique-nique' transformed into the English word 'picnic' in the 18th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a social gathering where each participant brings a share of the food', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an outdoor meal'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an outing or occasion that involves taking a packed meal to be eaten outdoors.
We decided to have a picnic by the lake.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to have a meal outdoors, especially in a scenic location.
They picnicked in the park on a sunny afternoon.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35