A campfire is an outdoor fire built for warmth, cooking, or light, usually at a campsite. People often gather around it to talk, sing, or relax.
A compound of 'camp' and 'fire,' first used in English in the 19th century as camping for recreation became more common. Fires in military or work camps existed much earlier, but the specific term 'campfire' is relatively modern. It captures both the functional and social aspects of fire in outdoor life.
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