powder

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) The fine particles which are the result of reducing a dry substance by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or the result of decay; dust.
2. (countable, uncountable) A mixture of fine dry, sweet-smelling particles applied to the face or other body parts, to reduce shine or to alleviate chaffing.
3. (countable, uncountable) An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder.
4. (abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, informal, uncountable) Ellipsis of powder snow; light, dry, fluffy snow.
5. (abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable) Ellipsis of powder blue, a color.

Verb

1. (transitive) To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder.
2. (transitive) To sprinkle with powder, or as if with powder.
3. (intransitive) To use powder on the hair or skin.
4. (intransitive) To turn into powder; to become powdery.
5. (obsolete, transitive) To sprinkle with salt; to corn, as meat.
6. (intransitive, slang) To depart suddenly; to "take a powder".

Synonyms

dust

flour

gunpowder

pulverize

face powder

dirt

fine

meal

grind

crush

pulverise

pound

💷

pulverization

pulverisation

particle

crumble

ashes

ash

cosmetic powder

mince

farina

triturate

delicate

very fine

powderize

pulp

comminute

cinder

powderise

sand

shred

rub

scrub

scurf

spatter

speckle

spray

sprinkling

stearic acid

talc

talcum powder

tooth powder

trash

trifle

wear

wheat flour

whitewash

fine flour

toilet powder

fine powder

Translations

poudre

polvere

Pulver

polvo

Puder

pó

poeder

σκόνη

cipria

πούδρα

fin

🔚

bepoederen

Staub

toz

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpaʊ.də(ɹ)/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: poudre

In summary

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.