bikini

Pronunciation: /bɪˈki.ni/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an atoll in the Marshall Islands; formerly used by the United States as a site for testing nuclear weapons
  2. noun a woman's very brief bathing suit

Etymology

From French bikini, named after the place name Bikini, from English Bikini, the name of the atoll where the United States tested nuclear weapons in July 1946; it was reckoned that the bathing suit would cause as much excitement as a nuclear bomb. This name was originally from German Bikini, the colonial name of the atoll as part of German New Guinea, and this was derived from Marshallese Pikinni.

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