Powder — Defs

01 n. The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it falls by decay; dust.

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.” — Shak.
2.
An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder. See Gunpowder. See: Gunpowder

Phrases & compounds

Atlas powder — See under Atlas, Baking, etc.

Powder down — the peculiar dust, or exfoliation, of powder-down feathers.

Powder-down feather — one of a peculiar kind of modified feathers which sometimes form patches on certain parts of some birds. They have a greasy texture and a scaly exfoliation.

Powder-down patch — a tuft or patch of powder-down feathers.

Powder hose — a tube of strong linen, about an inch in diameter, filled with powder and used in firing mines.

Powder hoy — a vessel specially fitted to carry powder for the supply of war ships. They are usually painted red and carry a red flag.

Powder magazine — See Magazine, 2.

Powder mine — a mine exploded by gunpowder. See Mine.

Powder monkey — a boy formerly employed on war vessels to carry powder; a powder boy.

Powder post — See Dry rot, under Dry.

Powder puff — See Puff, n.

02 v. t. To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder; to comminute; to pulverize; to triturate.

imp. & p. p. Powdered; p. pr. & vb. n. Powdering

1.
To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder; to comminute; to pulverize; to triturate.
2.
To sprinkle with powder, or as with powder; to be sprinkle; as, to powder the hair.
“A circling zone thou seest Powdered with stars.” — Milton.
3.
To sprinkle with salt; to corn, as meat.[Obs.]

03 v. i. To be reduced to powder; to become like powder; as, some salts powder easily.

1.
To be reduced to powder; to become like powder; as, some salts powder easily.
2.
To use powder on the hair or skin; as, she paints and powders.