powder
Forms
- Plural
- powders
- present (v1)
- powder
- past (v2)
- powdered
- past participle (v3)
- powdered
- present participle
- powdering
- 3rd person singular
- powders
Definitions
1.The fine particles which are the result of reducing a dry substance by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or the result of decay; dust.
- Let them stop fretting about vegetables denied by the weather and eat chilli powder. Just explain to them that they really shouldn’t think about spiralising it, because that doesn’t work.
2.A mixture of fine dry, sweet-smelling particles applied to the face or other body parts, to reduce shine or to alleviate chaffing.
- She was redolent of violet sachet powder, and had warm, soft, white hands, but she danced divinely, moving as smoothly as the tide coming in.
3.An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder.
4.Ellipsis of powder snow; light, dry, fluffy snow.(informal)
1.To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder.
2.To sprinkle with powder, or as if with powder.
3.To use powder on the hair or skin.
4.To turn into powder; to become powdery.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3867
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English poudre, pouder, pouldre, borrowed from Old French poudre, poldre, puldre, from Latin pulverem, accusative singular of Latin pulvis (“dust, powder”).
Doublet of pulver.
Compare pollen (“fine flour”), polverine, pulverize.