Powder /(?)/

Pow·der

Powder

n.
  1. The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it falls by decay; dust.
    Grind their bones to powder small.
  2. An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder. See Gunpowder.

Phrases & Compounds
Atlas powder
See under Atlas, Baking, etc.
Powder down
the peculiar dust, or exfoliation, of powder-down feathers.
Powder-down feather
one of a peculiar kind of modified feathers which sometimes form patches on certain parts of some birds. They have a greasy texture and a scaly exfoliation.
Powder-down patch
a tuft or patch of powder-down feathers.
Powder hose
a tube of strong linen, about an inch in diameter, filled with powder and used in firing mines.
Powder hoy
a vessel specially fitted to carry powder for the supply of war ships. They are usually painted red and carry a red flag.
Powder magazine
See Magazine, 2.
Powder mine
a mine exploded by gunpowder. See Mine.
Powder monkey
a boy formerly employed on war vessels to carry powder; a powder boy.
Powder post
See Dry rot, under Dry.
Powder puff
See Puff, n.

Powder

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Powdered; p. pr. & vb. n. Powdering

  1. To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder; to comminute; to pulverize; to triturate.
  2. To sprinkle with powder, or as with powder; to be sprinkle; as, to powder the hair.
    A circling zone thou seest Powdered with stars.
  3. To sprinkle with salt; to corn, as meat. [Obs.]

Powder

v. i.
  1. To be reduced to powder; to become like powder; as, some salts powder easily.
  2. To use powder on the hair or skin; as, she paints and powders.