war paint

noun

1. paint applied by American Indians to their faces and bodies before going to war.

2. Informal.,  makeup; cosmetics.

3. Informal.,  full dress; regalia.

war paint

noun

1. painted decoration of the face and body applied by certain North American Indians before battle

2. informal,  finery or regalia

3. informal,  cosmetics

Word History and Origins

Origin of war paint¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30