depilatory

[ dih-pil-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. capable of removing hair.

noun

, plural de·pil·a·to·ries.

1. a depilatory agent.
2. such an agent in a mild liquid or cream form for temporarily removing unwanted hair from the body.

depilatory

/ dɪˈpɪlətərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. able or serving to remove hair

noun

1. a chemical that is used to remove hair from the body

Word History and Origins

Origin of depilatory¹

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin dēpilātōrius < Latin dēpilā ( re ) ( depilate ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Where hair had a tendency to grow, she applied dropax, a depilatory paste, composed of vinegar and earth from Cyprus.

From Project Gutenberg

In place of the liquid soap and razor it is sometimes convenient to use a Depilatory powder.

From Project Gutenberg

Rhusma, rus′ma, n. a mixture of quicklime and orpiment, used as a depilatory.

From Project Gutenberg

In such cases the hair can be easily removed by a depilatory.

From Project Gutenberg

The Roman epicures iced their oysters before eating them; the ladies used the calcined shell as a cosmetic and depilatory.

From Project Gutenberg