depilatory
[dih-pil-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]
- capable of removing hair.
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- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for depilatory
Historical Examples
In such cases the hair can be easily removed by a depilatory.
There was a distressing picture of this little girl after a just Providence had done its work as a depilatory.
The SeekerHarry Leon Wilson
Rhusma, rus′ma, n. a mixture of quicklime and orpiment, used as a depilatory.
But the oriental rusma yields to nothing in depilatory power.
(Soap d.; Savon pilatoire,) Turkish depilatory and soft soap, equal parts.
depilatory
- able or serving to remove hair
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- a chemical that is used to remove hair from the body
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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
Word Origin and History for depilatory
adj.
c.1600, from French dépilatorie (adj.), from Latin depilatus "having one's hair plucked," from de- "completely" (see de-) + pilatus, past participle of pilare "deprive of hair," from pilus "hair" (see pile (n.3)). Earlier in same sense was Depilative. As a noun from c.1600, from French dépilatorie (n.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
depilatory
(dĭ-pĭl′ə-tôr′ē)- Having the capability to remove hair.
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- A preparation in the form of a liquid or cream that is used to remove unwanted hair from the body.epilatory
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.