noun / adjective
depilatory
dih-PIL-uh-tor-ee/dɪˈpɪlətɔːri/
A substance for removing unwanted body hair, or relating to its removal.
The man removes the depilatory cream, leaving a smooth strip on his shin.
Etymology
French dépilatorie named a hair-removing application as well as describing its effect. The noun thus names a preparation by what it does, rather than by its ingredients.
In context
you can see the little hives around the hair follicle where this patient has done waxing interestingly enough she had no issue with hives when she used a chemical depilatory
More examples
- He uses a depilatory instead of shaving his chest.
- Some depilatories can irritate sensitive skin.
- The label explains how long to leave the depilatory lotion on.
Forms
depilatory · depilatories
depilate verb — Remove unwanted hair from the body.
depilation noun — The removal of unwanted body hair.
Similar words
- hair remover
- A plainer term that can also include hair-removing devices.
- wax
- A depilatory that pulls hair out when stripped away.