adj. & n.
adj. 1 intended to adorn or beautify the body, esp. the face. 2 intended to improve only appearances; superficially improving or beneficial (a cosmetic change). 3 (of surgery or a prosthetic device) imitating, restoring, or enhancing the normal appearance.
n. a cosmetic preparation, esp. for the face. cosmetically adv.
[ F cosmétique f. Gk kosmetikos f. kosmeo adorn f. kosmos order, adornment ]