Where does “cosmetics” come from?
Cosmetics comes from French cosmétique, derived from Ancient Greek κοσμητική, from κοσμέω meaning to arrange or order, ultimately from κόσμος meaning order or adornment.
cosmetics (English): Preparations applied externally to change or...
Definitions
- Preparations applied externally to change or...
Ancestry of “cosmetics”, 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 |