depilatory

[ dih-pil-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

/ dɪˈpɪl əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

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adjective

capable of removing hair.

noun, plural de·pil·a·to·ries.

a depilatory agent.

such an agent in a mild liquid or cream form for temporarily removing unwanted hair from the body.

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Origin of depilatory

1595–1605; <Medieval Latin dēpilātōrius<Latin dēpilā(re) (see depilate) + -tōrius-tory¹

Words nearby depilatory

depicting, depiction, depicture, depigmentation, depilate, depilatory, depill, deplane, de plano, deplatform, deplete

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use depilatory in a sentence

Where hair had a tendency to grow, she applied dropax, a depilatory paste, composed of vinegar and earth from Cyprus.
Snnica|Vicente Blasco Ibez
In place of the liquid soap and razor it is sometimes convenient to use a Depilatory powder.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique|John William Henry Eyre
Rhusma, rus′ma, n. a mixture of quicklime and orpiment, used as a depilatory.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
In such cases the hair can be easily removed by a depilatory.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)|Various

The Roman epicures iced their oysters before eating them; the ladies used the calcined shell as a cosmetic and depilatory.
Nooks and Corners of English Life, Past and Present|John Timbs

British Dictionary definitions for depilatory

depilatory

/ (dɪˈpɪlətərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

able or serving to remove hair

noun plural -ries

a chemical that is used to remove hair from the body

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012