depilatory

From French dépilatoire.

• (US) IPA^(key): /dəˈpɪləˌtɔɹi/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪˈpɪlətəɹi/, /dɪˈpɪlətɹi/

• Audio (Southern England):

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depilatory (comparative more depilatory, superlative most depilatory)

1. That removes hair
   • 1913, Gaston Leroux, translated by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos, Balaoo, Book 2:

     You can do anything with electrolytic, depilatory creams and a little patience.

depilatory (plural depilatories)

1. A preparation that removes hair from the body.
   • 1885, Richard F[rancis] Burton, transl. and editor, A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, now Entituled The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night […], Shammar edition, volume IV, [London]: […] Burton Club […], →OCLC:

     When Bilkis Queen of Sheba discovered her legs by lifting her robe (Koran xxvii.), Solomon was minded to marry her, but would not do so till the devils had by a depilatory removed the hair.

• chemical depilatory