1. Among North American Indians: Paint applied to the face and body before going into battle.
1826. J. F. Cooper, Last of Mohicans, xxiii. The young Huron was in his war-paint.
1837. R. M. Bird, Nick of the Woods, II. 44. His countenance, grim with war-paint.
1857. Putnam’s Monthly Mag., May, 452/2. He [the Indian] has put on his war-paint, and is prepared for death.
2. colloq. One’s best clothes and finery; esp. ceremonial military or official costume, ‘full fig.’
1859. H. Kingsley, G. Hamlyn, xiv. Old Lady E— … in her war-paint and feathers—pinker than ever.
1879. H. N. Moseley, Notes Nat. ‘Challenger,’ 497. The officers of the ship donned, as in duty bound, full ‘war paint’ to receive him.
1883. E. Pennell-Elmhirst, Cream Leicestersh., 380. A stiff shower took all the glaze off our war-paint ere the meet was reached.
