powder

/'paudə/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
powder

She gently applies powder to her face with a soft puff.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A fine, dry substance made up of very small particles: "powder" refers to any solid material that has been crushed, ground, or otherwise processed into tiny, loose grains.
    • A cosmetic or medicinal preparation in this form: Specifically, "powder" can denote substances like face powder, talcum powder, or medicinal powders intended for application to the body.
    • Gunpowder: In a historical and technical context, "powder" is a common short form for gunpowder, an explosive mixture.

  2. Verb:

    • To apply powder to something: This means to cover or dust a surface with a fine powder.
    • To reduce something to powder: This means to crush, grind, or pulverize a solid substance into fine particles.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The snow was a fine, white powder. (The snow consisted of very small, loose particles.)
    • She bought a new compact of translucent powder. (She purchased a new case of a cosmetic powder.)
    • In the 18th century, soldiers carried their powder in horns. (Soldiers carried their gunpowder in containers made from animal horns.)

  • Verb:

    • The baker powdered the dough with flour. (The baker dusted the dough with a fine layer of flour.)
    • The old mill was used to powder grain into flour. (The mill was used to crush grain into fine flour particles.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to powder one's nose": a polite euphemism for a woman going to the bathroom, originating from the act of reapplying cosmetic powder.
    • Excuse me, I need to powder my nose.
  • "to take a powder" (slang, chiefly North America): to leave quickly or suddenly; to run away.
    • When the police arrived, the suspect took a powder.
Variants and Related Words
  • Powdered (adj): reduced to or covered in powder.
    • powdered sugar; a powdered wig.
  • Powdery (adj): resembling or consisting of powder; easily crumbling into powder.
    • The surface was covered in a powdery dust.
  • Gunpowder (n): the specific explosive mixture, often simply called "powder" in historical contexts.
Synonyms
  • Noun: dust, particles, pulverized material, talc, gunpowder.
  • Verb: dust, sprinkle, pulverize, grind, crush.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Powder up: to apply powder, especially cosmetic powder.
    • She powdered up before the photo session.
Related Idioms
  • "keep one's powder dry": to remain cautious and prepared for future action, especially in a conflict. (Originates from keeping gunpowder dry so it remains usable.)
    • We don't know what the market will do, so for now, we're keeping our powder dry.
  • "not worth the powder and shot": not worth the effort or cost required to deal with it. (Refers to the expense of gunpowder and ammunition.)
    • Arguing over such a trivial point is not worth the powder and shot.
  • "smell of powder": to have experience in battle or conflict.
    • The veteran general had smelled powder on many fronts.
powder

She gently applies powder to her face with a soft puff.

Noun
  1. any of various cosmetic or medical preparations dispensed in the form of a pulverized powder
  2. a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in a 75:15:10 ratio which is used in gunnery, time fuses, and fireworks
  3. a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
Verb
  1. apply powder to
    • She powdered her nose
    • The King wears a powdered wig
  2. make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust
    • pulverize the grains

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ gần giống

Từ chứa "powder"

Từ có nhắc đến "powder"