"suicide flier," 1945, Japanese, literally "divine wind," from kami "god, providence, divine" (see kami) + kaze "wind." Originally the name given in folklore to a typhoon which saved Japan from Mongol invasion by wrecking Kublai Khan's fleet (August 1281). The attacks began in October 1944 off the Philippines.
As an aside, at war's end, the Japanese had, by actual count, a total of 16,397 aircraft still available for service, including 6,374 operational fighters and bombers, and if they had used only the fighters and bombers for kamikaze missions, they might have realized, additionally, 900 ships sunk or damaged and 22,000 sailors killed or injured. In fact, however, the Japanese had outfitted many aircraft, including trainers, as potential suicide attackers. As intelligence estimates indicated, the Japanese believed they could inflict at least 50,000 casualties to an invasion force by kamikaze attacks alone. [Richard P. Hallion, "Military Technology and the Pacific War," 1995]
As an adjective by 1946.
实用例句
1. These are kamikaze jobs, the ones almost guaranteed to end your career.
这些是极危险的工作，差不多准保能毁了你的事业。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Tone down your kamikaze tendencies and take more prudent risks.
别那么玩命，冒险时要谨慎些。
来自柯林斯例句
3. He made a kamikaze run across three lanes of traffic.
他不要命地冲过了三条车道。
来自《权威词典》
4. That makes about as much sense as a kamikaze piIot wearing a heImet.
你就像是在说一个神风特攻队队员戴了一个头盔.
来自电影对白
5. His kamikaze driving made my hair stand on end.
