Where does “cosmetic” come from?
Cosmetic comes from French cosmétique, derived from Ancient Greek κοσμητική (kosmetikē), the adjective form of κοσμέω (kosmeō), meaning to arrange or order, from κόσμος (kosmos), meaning order or arrangement.
cosmetic (English): Imparting or improving beauty, particularly the...
Definitions
- Imparting or improving beauty, particularly the...
Ancestry of “cosmetic”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | cosmétique | cosmetics, make-up; the science of cosmetics;... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | κοσμητική | the art of dress and ornament |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | κοσμητής | orderer, director, decorator |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | κοσμέω | to order, to arrange; to adorn |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | κόσμος | order; lawful order, government; mode, fashion |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | θέσις | a setting, placement, arrangement; deposit;... |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | τίθημι | I put, place, set; I make, cause to be; I make |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰeh₁- | to do, put, place |