powder

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 Verb 1.4.1 Translations

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

From Old English poudre, pouldre, Old French poudre, poldre, puldre, Latin pulvis (“‘dust, powder’”). cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. {polverine}, {pulverize}.

[edit] Pronunciation

\Pow"der\

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -aʊdə(r)

[edit] Noun

powder (countable and uncountable; plural powders)

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. —Shakespeare

2. An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder.

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to powder (third-person singular simple present powders, present participle powdering, simple past and past participle powdered)

1. (transitive) To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder; to comminute; to pulverize; to triturate.
2. (transitive) To sprinkle with powder, or as with powder; to be sprinkle

   to powder the hair.

   A circling zone thou seest / Powdered with stars. --Milton.

3. (intransitive) To be reduced to powder; to become like powder.

   Some salts powder easily.

4. (intransitive) To use powder on the hair or skin; as,

   She paints and powders.

[edit] Translations