talcum
(ˈtælkəm)
Also 6 talchum.
[med.L.]
= talc. Freq. in talcum powder, a preparation of powdered talc or French chalk; now spec. applied to perfumed or medicated talc for general cosmetic and toilet use; also used absol.
| 1558 W. Warde tr. Alexis' Secr. i. 73 b, The poulder of Talchum. 1567 J. Maplet Gr. Forest 21 Talchum the stone is like to Glasse. 1682 Wheler Journ. Greece vi. 451 Some sparkle like Walls of Diamond; which being broken splitteth into Talcum. 1901 19th Cent. Oct. 601 The gloves are boiled, then dusted inside with talcum powder. 1908 Sears, Roebuck Catal. 797 Violet and white rose talcum powder. Ibid., Just the thing for holding your face powders or talcums. 1927–28 T. Eaton & Co. Catal. Fall & Winter 367 Djer-Kiss Talcum Powder is low-priced. Ibid., Pompeian Talcum is a fine white powder with the pleasing Pompeian odor. 1949 Heiress June 41 (Advt.), For cool, satin-like Comfort Dubarry Talcum is the dainty woman's necessity. 1968 [see bath oil s.v. bath n.1 VI]. 1981 Good Housekeeping Apr. 166/2 Talcum powder is closely related to face powder; the components are similar but the aim of body powder is to provide ‘slip’, a cooling effect and good absorbency. |
Hence as v. trans., to treat with talcum powder; ˈtalcumed ppl. a.
| 1923 H. Jerome Secret Woman ix. 106 It is only the American man who smells sweet and soapy, as though he had just been shampooed and talcumed. 1943 G. Greene Ministry of Fear i. iii. 47 Her face was talcumed and wrinkled. 1952 C. Armstrong Black Eyed Stranger vi. 47 Charles Salisbury had a clean and ‘talcumed’ look. 1970 Daily Tel. 9 Nov. 18/6 Researchers..concluded that the entire traditional marketing approach to toilet paper was wrong. The result is the soft, talcumed, flower-scented creation now on offer. |