powder
powder (pouʹdər) noun
1. A substance consisting of ground, pulverized, or otherwise finely dispersed solid particles.
2. Any of various preparations in the form of powder, as certain cosmetics and medicines.
3. An explosive mixture, such as gunpowder.
4. Light, dry snow.
verb
powdered, powdering, powders
verb, transitive
1. To reduce to powder; pulverize.
2. To dust or cover with or as if with powder.
3. Slang. To defeat handily or decisively.
verb, intransitive
1. To become pulverized; turn into powder.
2. To use powder as a cosmetic.
idiom.
keep (one's) powder dry
To be ready for a challenge with little warning.
take a powder
To make a quick departure; run away.
[Middle English poudre, from Old French, from Latin pulvis, pulver-.]
powʹderer noun