powder

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Contents

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English poudre, pouldre, Old French poudre, poldre, puldre, Latin pulvis (“dust, powder”). compare pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Compare polverine, pulverize.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

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.
  2. An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder.
  3. (informal) Light, dry, fluffy snow.

Derived terms[edit]

Terms derived from powder (noun)

Translations[edit]

fine particles
gunpowder — see gunpowder
snow

Verb[edit]

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.
  2. (transitive) To sprinkle with powder, or as with powder.
    to powder the hair
    • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton:
      A circling zone thou seest / Powdered with stars.
  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.
    She paints and powders.
  5. (transitive) To sprinkle with salt; to corn, as meat.

Synonyms[edit]

Translations[edit]

to reduce to fine particles
to sprinkle with powder
to be reduced to powder
to use powder on the hair or skin

See also[edit]

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