See Also: Cosmetic(medicine)
cosmetic(dictionary)
cosmetic(dictionary)
cosmetic dermatitis(medicine)
cosmetic surgery(medicine)
cosmetic techniques(medicine)
Botox cosmetic(health)
cosmetic surgery(dictionary)
Cosmetic (aesthetic) dentistry(health)

cosmetic (iou)



cosmetic noun, adjective, & verb. E17.
[French cosmetique from Greek kosmetikos, from kosmein arrange, adorn, from kosmos COSMOS noun1: see -IC.]
A. noun.
1. sing. & in pl. The art of adorning or beautifying the body. E17.
2. A preparation for use in beautifying the face, skin, or hair. M17.
B. adjective.
1. Able or used to beautify a person's appearance, esp. the complexion; of or pertaining to cosmetics. M17.
2. Of surgery: aimed at improving or modifying the appearance. Of a prosthetic device: re-creating the normal appearance. E20.
Observer His metal alloy legs..are finished with cosmetic shoes.
3. fig. Intended merely to improve appearances; superficial. M20.
J. Bayley The alterations..are not much more than cosmetic. Daily Telegraph The ferry was able to sail..despite 'cosmetic' damage to the bows.
C. verb trans. Infl. -ck-. Treat with cosmetics; apply a cosmetic to. L19.
cosmetical adjective M16.
cosmetically adverb L19.
cosmetician noun (chiefly N. Amer.) an expert in cosmetics, a beautician E20.
cosmeticize verb trans. treat with cosmetics; fig. make superficially presentable: E19.