cosmetic

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a preparation applied to the body, especially the face or hair, to clean it or improve its appearance

   The shop sells each cosmetic in refillable packaging.

2. 2
   adj

   relating to treatments or products intended to improve a person's appearance

   The clinic offers both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.

3. 3
   adj

   affecting only appearance rather than function, substance, or underlying structure

   The renovation made cosmetic changes but left the faulty wiring untouched.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Cosmetic dates from the early 17th century and ultimately derives from Greek kosmos, whose central sense was “order.” The Greeks also used kosmos for putting oneself in order through adornment, the meaning that gave rise to cosmetic.

Via French cosmetique and Greek kosmetikos ("skilled in arranging or adorning"), from kosmein ("to order, arrange, adorn") and ultimately kosmos ("order"). The figurative sense developed from improving outward appearance without changing what lies beneath.

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External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary