cosmetics
English edit
Etymology edit
From French cosmétique, from Ancient Greek κοσμητική (kosmētikḗ, “the art of dress and ornament”), from κοσμητικός (kosmētikós), an adjective of κοσμέω (kosméō, “to order, to arrange, to rule, to adorn, to equip, to dress, to embellish”).
Noun edit
cosmetics pl (plural only)
- Preparations applied externally to change or enhance the beauty of skin, hair, nails, lips, and eyes.
- The way something looks; superficial appearance.
- 2004, Lewis Sorley, Vietnam Chronicles: The Abrams Tapes, 1968-1972, page 194:
- In the great fishbowl that we're doing everything in it's kind of unfortunate, but the cosmetics of the thing are more important than what's accomplished — in a great many ways.
Noun edit
cosmetics (uncountable)
- The study of such products.
Related terms edit
Translations edit
preparations to change or enhance the beauty
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