ˈpaudə n. & v. --n. 1 a
substance in
the form of fine
dry particles. 2 a
medicine or
cosmetic in
this form. 3 =
GUNPOWDER. --v.tr. 1 a
apply powder to (powder one's nose). b
sprinkle or
decorate with or as with powder. 2 (esp. as powdered adj.)
reduce to a fine powder (powdered milk). økeep one's powder dry be
cautious and alert. powder blue pale blue. powder-flask
hist. a
small case
for carrying gunpowder. powder-keg 1 a
barrel of gunpowder. 2 a
dangerous or
volatile situation. powder
metallurgy the
production of
metal as fine powders to
make objects. powder-monkey hist. a
boy employed on
board ship to
carry powder to the guns. powder-puff a
soft pad for applying powder to the
skin,
esp. the
face. powder-room a women's
cloakroom or
lavatory in a
public building. powder
snow loose dry snow on a ski-run etc.
take a powder sl.
depart quickly. øøpowdery adj. [ME f. OF poudre f. L pulvis pulveris dust]
