Final Major Project: The Definition of Cosmetic
“cosmetic (adj.)
1640s, “pertaining to beauty,improving beauty,” from French cosmétique (16c.), from Latinized form of Greek kosmetikos “skilled in adornment or arrangement,” from kosmein “to arrange, adorn,” from kosmos “order; ornament”. Related: Cosmetical (1550s). Of surgery, from 1926. Figurative sense of “superficial, affecting the appearance only” is from 1955.
cosmetic (n.)
1600, “the art of beautifying, art of anointing or decorating the human body,” from Latinized form of Greek kosmetike (tekhne) “the art of dress and ornament,” from fem. of kosmetikos “skilled in adornment or arrangement,” from kosmein “to arrange, adorn,” from kosmos “order; ornament”. The adjective is feminine because tekhne is a feminine noun. Meaning “a preparation for beautifying, preparation that renders them soft and pure or improves the complexion” (originally also the hair) is attested from 1640s. “
– (cosmetic | Origin and meaning of cosmetic by Online Etymology Dictionary 2018)
REFERENCE
cosmetic | Origin and meaning of cosmetic by Online Etymology Dictionary. 2018. Etymonline.com [online]. Available at: https://www.etymonline.com/word/cosmetic [accessed 1 July 2018].