powder

Meanings

Noun

• The fine particles which are the result of reducing dry substance by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or the result of decay; dust.
• A mixture of fine dry, sweet-smelling particles applied to the face or other body parts, to reduce shine or to alleviate chaffing.
• An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder.
• Light, dry, fluffy snow.
• The colour powder blue.

Verb

• To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder.
• To sprinkle with powder, or as if with powder.
• To use powder on the hair or skin.
• To turn into powder; to become powdery.
• To sprinkle with salt; to corn, as meat.
• To depart suddenly; to "take a powder".

Related

Similar words

• pound, grind, comminute, pulverize, triturate

Origin

• From Middle English poudre, pouder, pouldre, borrowed from Old French poudre, poldre, puldre, from Latin pulverem, accusative singular of Latin pulvis ("dust, powder"). compare pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Compare polverine, pulverize.