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bask

verb

  1. take pleasure in
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Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /bɑːsk/ / /bæsk/

noun

Etymology: Inherited from Middle English basken, from Old Norse baðask (“to take a bath”, literally “to bathe oneself”), mediopassive form from underlying baða (“to bathe”) + sik (“oneself”), from Proto-Germanic *baþōną and *sek. Doublet of English bathe.

  1. The act of bathing in warmth.

    Most cats enjoy a bask in the sunshine.

  2. A group of crocodiles; the collective noun for crocodiles.

    The threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to health systems in subSaharan Africa (SSA) can be compared metaphorically to a lake in Africa infested with a bask of crocodiles and the saying “the eye of the crocodile.”

verb

Etymology: Inherited from Middle English basken, from Old Norse baðask (“to take a bath”, literally “to bathe oneself”), mediopassive form from underlying baða (“to bathe”) + sik (“oneself”), from Proto-Germanic *baþōną and *sek. Doublet of English bathe.

  1. To bathe in warmth; to be exposed to pleasant heat.

    to bask in the sun

    The naked Negro, panting at the line, / Baſks in the glare, or ſtems the tepid wave, / And thanks his Gods for all the good they gave.

  2. To take great pleasure or satisfaction; to feel warmth or happiness. (Usually followed by "in".)

    to bask in someone’s favour

    I basked in her love.