# powder

Pronunciation: US say "POW-dur" /ˈpaʊ.dɚ/; UK say "POW-duh" /ˈpaʊ.də(ɹ)/

## Noun

1. Fine dry particles produced by grinding or pounding a solid, or formed as it slowly decays.
   - Simple: Tiny dry bits made by crushing something solid, or left behind as dust.
   - _Grinding the dried herbs released a fragrant green powder._
   - _Years of decay had reduced the documents to powder._
2. A blend of fine, scented dry particles applied to the face or body to reduce shine or ease chafing.
   - Simple: A soft, dry, sweet-smelling mix that people put on their skin to stop shine or rubbing.
   - _The makeup artist set the foundation with a light dusting of powder._
   - _Dancers often use powder to keep their feet from chafing in tight shoes._
3. An explosive mixture used in firearms, blasting, and similar work; gunpowder.
   - Simple: A black or gray explosive used in guns and for blasting rock.
   - _Soldiers kept their powder dry during the river crossing._
   - _Miners packed powder into the drilled holes to break the rock._
7. Ellipsis of powder snow. *(colloquial)* — Ellipsis of powder snow; light, dry, fluffy snow.
   - Simple: Short for powder snow. It means light, dry, fluffy snow.
   - _Overnight snowfall left a foot of dry powder across the slopes._
   - _Skiers chase fresh powder through the back bowls all season._
9. Ellipsis of powder blue. — Ellipsis of powder blue, a color.
   - Simple: Short for powder blue. It means a soft, pale blue color.
   - _The sneakers are available in three colors: black, sand, and powder._
   - _The online store lists the jacket in navy and powder._

## Verb

4. To reduce a substance to fine particles by pounding, grinding, or rubbing.
   - Simple: To crush something dry into tiny bits.
   - _The apothecary powdered the dried roots before mixing his remedy._
   - _Industrial mills powder limestone into fine dust for cement._
5. To sprinkle something with powder, or with something that behaves like powder.
   - Simple: To cover something lightly with powder or a powder-like layer.
   - _Bakers powder their pastries with a fine layer of sugar._
   - _A heavy frost powdered the meadow before sunrise._
6. To apply powder to one's hair or skin.
   - Simple: To put powder on your own hair or skin.
   - _Eighteenth-century gentlemen powdered before attending court._
   - _She slipped away to powder before the ceremony began._
8. To break down into fine dry dust, or to take on a dusty, powdery texture.
   - Simple: To break down into tiny dry bits.
   - _Over the centuries the chalk cliffs powder under wind and rain._
   - _The ancient parchment powdered at the slightest touch._
10. To depart suddenly; to make a quick exit. *(slang)*
   - Simple: To leave suddenly and quickly.
   - _The con artist powdered the moment the deal went sour._
   - _If trouble starts, we powder before anyone can stop us._

## Verb

11. To sprinkle meat with salt; to cure or corn it. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To rub or sprinkle meat with salt to keep it from going bad.
   - _Sailors powdered great quantities of beef for the months at sea._
   - _Before winter, the household would powder the slaughtered hogs with coarse salt._

## Origin

From Middle English poudre, borrowed from Old French poudre, from Latin pulvis ("dust, powder"). It is a doublet of pulver and related to words like pulverize.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/powder (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).