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Depilatory: meaning, definitions and examples

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depilatory

 

[ dɪˈpɪl.ə.tɔːr.i ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

beauty product

A depilatory is a chemical substance used to remove hair from the body. These products work by breaking down the protein structure of the hair, making it easy to wipe away. They are commonly available in creams, gels, and lotions and can be applied to various parts of the body such as legs, arms, and underarms. While they are effective and quick solutions for hair removal, it's important to perform a patch test before full application to avoid skin irritation.

Synonyms

depilation product, epilator, hair removal cream

Examples of usage

  • She applied a depilatory cream to her legs before the summer.
  • Many women prefer depilatories for hair removal due to their ease of use.
  • He found a natural depilatory that works well for sensitive skin.

Translations

Translations of the word "depilatory" in other languages:

🇵🇹 depilatório

🇮🇳 मूंडने वाला

🇩🇪 Enthaarungsmittel

🇮🇩 depilatori

🇺🇦 депілятор

🇵🇱 depilatory

🇯🇵 脱毛剤 (だつもうざい)

🇫🇷 épilatoire

🇪🇸 depilatorio

🇹🇷 ağda

🇰🇷 제모제 (jemoje)

🇸🇦 مزيل الشعر (mazil alsha'r)

🇨🇿 depilační prostředek

🇸🇰 depilačný prostriedok

🇨🇳 脱毛剂 (tuōmáo jì)

🇸🇮 depilacijsko sredstvo

🇮🇸 hárvötnunarefni

🇰🇿 депиляция құралы

🇬🇪 ეპილატორი (epilator)

🇦🇿 epilyator

🇲🇽 depilatorio

Word origin

The term 'depilatory' is derived from the Latin word 'depilare', which means 'to remove hair'. The Latin roots consist of 'de-', meaning 'down from' or 'off', and 'pilus', meaning 'hair'. The usage of such products dates back to ancient civilizations where various methods and substances were utilized for body hair removal. In ancient Egypt, for instance, both men and women used depilatory methods for cosmetic reasons, often utilizing natural substances to achieve smooth skin. Over time, the development of modern cosmetic chemistry has led to the creation of more effective and safer depilatory creams and treatments that cater to a wide range of skin types and preferences, solidifying the depilatory's place in contemporary beauty routines.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,425, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.