kohl
UK[kəʊl]US[koʊl]
n
A black powder, often made from antimony sulfide or soot, used as eye makeup especially in the Middle East and South Asia.
Etymology
The word 'kohl' entered English in the late 18th century from the Arabic word 'kuḥl', which originally referred to a fine powder, specifically antimony sulfide, used as an eye cosmetic. This Arabic term itself can be traced back to the Akkadian word 'guḫlu', meaning 'stibnite', the mineral source of antimony. The application of kohl has ancient roots, used in Egypt and Mesopotamia not only for adornment but also believed to offer protection from the sun and eye ailments. Thus, the modern English term preserves both the name and the core cultural concept of the cosmetic from its Semitic origins.
Analysis
This word is a loanword adopted as a single, unanalyzable unit in English.
Examples
She applied kohl to her eyelids to create a dramatic, smoky effect.
Traditional kohl is often stored in a small, ornate container.
The use of kohl for eye decoration dates back thousands of years.