powder
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Alternative forms
- powdre (obsolete)
[edit] Etymology
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.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
powder (countable and uncountable; plural powders)
- The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it falls by decay; dust.
- (Can we date this quote?) William Shakespeare:
- Grind their bones to powder small.
- (Can we date this quote?) William Shakespeare:
- An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder.
- (informal) Light, dry, fluffy snow.
[edit] Derived terms
Terms derived from powder (noun)
[edit] Translations
dust
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gunpowder — see gunpowder
[edit] Verb
powder (third-person singular simple present powders, present participle powdering, simple past and past participle powdered)
- (transitive) To reduce to fine particles.
- (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.
- (intransitive) To be reduced to powder; to become like powder.
- Some salts powder easily.
- (intransitive) To use powder on the hair or skin.
- She paints and powders.
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Translations
To reduce to fine particles
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To sprinkle with powder
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To be reduced to powder
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To use powder on the hair or skin
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