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kamikaze

The origin and history of kamikaze.

Etymology

From Japanese kamikaze, literally "divine wind" — originally the name for the typhoon that wrecked a Mongol invasion fleet off Japan in 1281, later applied to WWII suicide pilots who saw themselves in the same protective role.

Origin: Japanese · First attested 1281

Class of 1281

kamikaze first entered the language around 1281.

See the full Class of 1281 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.