Pow"der (?), n. [OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. Polverine, Pulverize.]
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.
Atlas powder, Baking powder, etc. See under Atlas, Baking, etc. -- Powder down Zool., the peculiar dust, or exfoliation, of powder-down feathers. -- Powder-down feather Zool., 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 Zool., 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. Farrow. -- Powder hoy Naut., 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, ∨ Powder room. See Magazine, 2. -- Powder mine, a mine exploded by gunpowder. See Mine. -- Powder monkey Naut., 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.
© Webster 1913.
Pow"der, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Powdered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Powdering.] [F. poudrer.]
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.]
© Webster 1913.
Pow"der, v. i.
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.
© Webster 1913.