Definition: powder

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

powder
     n 1: a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles
     2: a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in a
        75:15:10 ratio which is used in gunnery, time fuses, and
        fireworks [syn: gunpowder]
     3: any of various cosmetic or medical preparations dispensed in
        the form of a powder
     v 1: apply powder to, as of one's nose or other body parts
     2: make into a powder by breaking up; "pulverize the grains"
        [syn: powderize, pulverize, pulverise]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Powder \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.]
Powder \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 (Zo["o]l.), the peculiar dust, or exfoliation,
      of powder-down feathers.

   Powder-down feather (Zo["o]l.), 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 (Zo["o]l.), 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, or 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.
Powder \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.