Macassar oil

American  

noun

1. an oil derived from materials said to be obtained from Macassar, formerly used as a hairdressing.

2. a similar oil or preparation for the hair.

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Macassar oil British  

noun

1. an oily preparation formerly put on the hair to make it smooth and shiny

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Etymology

Origin of Macassar oil

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Ah! he made no bones about it; he guessed our thoughts at the first word; he has given us the means of annihilating Macassar oil.

From Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau by Balzac, Honoré de

Artists cannot be advertised like Macassar oil or blacking, and they want it to the full as much; hence endless ingenuity must be practised in order to keep the popular attention awake.

From Men's Wives by Thackeray, William Makepeace

And in spite of Macassar oil, and bear's oil, and other certain promoters of luxuriant, soft, and glossy tresses, her locks continued scanty, stringy, stiff, and disorderly.

From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Leslie, Eliza

She despised crinolines, girls, Macassar oil, sewing, and deportment.

From Secret Bread by Jesse, F. Tennyson (Fryniwyd Tennyson)

New England rum, constantly used to wash the hair, keeps it very clean, and free from disease, and promotes its growth a great deal more than Macassar oil.

From The American Frugal Housewife by Child, Lydia Maria Francis