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.

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