I. noun
also pick·nick ˈpikˌnik
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: German or French; German picknick, from French pique-nique, probably reduplication (influenced by obsolete French nique trifle, of imitative origin) of piquer to pick, peck, prick — more at pike
1.
a. : a social entertainment at which each person contributes food to a common table
b. : an excursion or outing with food usually provided by members of the group and eaten in the open
2.
a. : a pleasant or amusing experience : a time free of ordinary cares and responsibilities
I don't expect being married to be a picnic like you seem to — Josephine Pinckney
b. : an easy task or feat
as the fight started … any thoughts … that this was to be a picnic for him were dissipated — Ring
3.
a. : a standard size of container for canned food
b. : a standard size of cheddar cheese
4. or picnic ham or picnic shoulder : a shoulder of pork with much of the butt removed commonly smoked and often boned — see pork illustration
II. verb
( picnicked ; picnicked ; picnicking ; picnics )
transitive verb
: to entertain with a picnic
intransitive verb
: to go on or hold a picnic : eat in picnic fashion
• pic·nick·er -kə(r) noun -s