manicure
UK: ˈmænɪkjʊə | US: ˈmænɪkjʊr
n. a cosmetic treatment for the hands and fingernails, including shaping, polishing, and sometimes painting.
vt. to trim, clean, or polish (someone's fingernails).
manicure = mani<hand> + cure<care>
- mani: From Latin manus (hand), retained in modern English as a morpheme meaning "hand" (e.g., manual, manuscript).
- cure: From Latin cura (care), used here to denote "care" or "treatment" (e.g., pedicure, curator).
Etymology Origin:
The word manicure entered English in the late 19th century from French manicure, which combined Latin manus (hand) and cura (care). It originally referred to professional nail care, reflecting the growing beauty industry of the era. The morphemes mani- and -cure remain productive in English, appearing in terms like pedicure (foot care) and manicurist.
She booked a manicure appointment before the wedding.
The salon offers manicures with gel polish.
He learned to manicure his nails neatly.
A weekly manicure keeps her hands looking polished.
The manicure included a hand massage and cuticle treatment.