war paint

paint applied by American Indians to their faces and bodies before going to war.

Informal. makeup; cosmetics.

Informal. full dress; regalia.

Origin of war paint

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

It need hardly be added that the Indian maidens wear neither feather head-dresses nor war-paint.

Patriotic Plays and Pageants for Young People |Constance D'Arcy Mackay
The day appointed came, and with it the savage army, hideous in war-paint, and plumed for battle.

Pioneers Of France In The New World |Francis Parkman, Jr.
In a few moments back they all came, mounted on fast ponies, with their war-paint and other fixings on, ready to renew the fight.

The Old Santa Fe Trail |Henry Inman
All the warriors carried their spears, shields, and war-paint, and most of them wore splendid plumes of ostrich feathers.

My African Journey |Winston Churchill

This ceremony was always undertaken in full panoply of war-paint and feathers.

The Myths of the North American Indians |Lewis Spence

war paint

painted decoration of the face and body applied by certain North American Indians before battle

informal finery or regalia

informal cosmetics