Plural of fard; cosmetics or makeup, especially heavy or garish cosmetics applied to the face.
From Middle French 'fard' meaning paint or cosmetic, possibly from Old French or Germanic origins. The term evolved from referring to theatrical makeup to describing any kind of face paint or cosmetic application.
The word 'fard' disappeared from everyday English by the 1700s, but it reveals how people have always worried about 'fake' beauty—Shakespeare used it to criticize artificial makeup, making this a 400-year-old debate about authenticity.
Plural of fard; same gendered history—cosmetics and feminine adornment coded as deceptive or morally questionable, especially in early modern and Victorian contexts.
Use as neutral plural noun for cosmetics. Avoid moral judgment of appearance practices.
["cosmetics","makeup products","adornments"]
Historical condemnation of women's cosmetic use reflects anxiety about women's autonomy and self-determination, not legitimate critique of the practice.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.