greasepaint
UK[ˈɡriːspeɪnt]US[ˈɡriːspeɪnt]
n
A thick, oily makeup used by actors, especially in the past.
Morpheme Breakdown
grease
paint
grease
fatty substance
paint
colored coating
Etymology
The compound word 'greasepaint' is a transparent description of its material composition and purpose, originating in the 19th-century theater. The first element, 'grease', traces back to the Latin crassus, meaning thick or fat, which evolved to denote animal fat or any oily lubricant. The second element, 'paint', derives from the Latin pingere, meaning to paint or decorate. Combined, the term literally means "fatty paint," a logical name for the heavy, oil-based cosmetic mixtures actors applied to their faces to withstand harsh stage lighting and be visible to distant audiences before the advent of modern makeup.
Analysis
Structure: grease (fatty substance) + paint (colored coating)
- grease: From Old French graisse, from Latin crassia (fat), from crassus (thick, fat). Functions as the base noun denoting the substance's oily, fatty nature.
- paint: From Old French peint, past participle of peindre (to paint), from Latin pingere (to paint, embroider). Functions as the head noun, specifying the substance's application as a colored coating.
Examples
The old actor removed his greasepaint with a cold cream.
The smell of greasepaint and the roar of the crowd were addictive to her.
Modern stage makeup has largely replaced traditional greasepaint.