—n.
1 a substance in the form of fine dry particles.
2 a medicine or cosmetic in this form.
3 = GUNPOWDER.
—v.tr.
1 a apply powder to (powder one's nose). b sprinkle or decorate with or as with powder.
2 (esp. as powdered adj.) reduce to a fine powder (powdered milk).
Phrases and idioms:
keep one's powder dry be cautious and alert. powder blue pale blue. powder-flask hist. a small case for carrying gunpowder. powder-keg
1 a barrel of gunpowder.
2 a dangerous or volatile situation. powder metallurgy the production of metal as fine powders to make objects. powder-monkey hist. a boy employed on board ship to carry powder to the guns. powder-puff a soft pad for applying powder to the skin, esp. the face. powder-room a women's cloakroom or lavatory in a public building. powder snow loose dry snow on a ski-run etc. take a powder sl. depart quickly.
Derivatives:
powdery adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF poudre f. L pulvis pulveris dust
Useful english dictionary. 2012.