depilatory

English

Etymology

From French dépilatoire.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /dəˈpɪləˌtɔɹi/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪˈpɪlətəɹi/, /dɪˈpɪlətɹi/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

Adjective

depilatory (comparative more depilatory, superlative most depilatory)

1. That removes hair
   • 1913, Gaston Leroux, translated by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos, Balaoo, Book 2:

     You can do anything with electrolytic, depilatory creams and a little patience.

Translations

that removes hair

Finnish: karvoja poistava Icelandic: (of or pertaining to depilation) háreyðingar- Italian: depilatore, depilatorio

Noun

depilatory (plural depilatories)

1. A preparation that removes hair from the body.
   • 1885, Richard F[rancis] Burton, transl. and editor, A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, now Entituled The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night […], Shammar edition, volume IV, [London]: […] Burton Club […], →OCLC:

     When Bilkis Queen of Sheba discovered her legs by lifting her robe (Koran xxvii.), Solomon was minded to marry her, but would not do so till the devils had by a depilatory removed the hair.

   • 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 81:

     Depilatories were used for all hirsute parts of the body.

Translations

preparation that removes hair from the body

Finnish: karvanpoisto (fi) Icelandic: (depilatory product) háreyðingarvara f Italian: depilatore Latin: dropax m