Dictionary Workbench Ondict

powder

Dictionary entry view. Switch to definition mode above when you know the meaning but not the word.

powder
I
powder1 /ˈpaʊdə $ -ər/ noun
 Date: 1200-1300
 Language: Old French
 Origin: poudre, from Latin pulvis 'dust'
1. [uncountable and countable] a dry substance in the form of very small grains:
    curry powder
    talcum powder
    Grind the sugar into a powder.
    The paint is supplied in powder form.
    milk/custard etc powder (=a powder that you add water to in order to change it into a liquid)
2. [uncountable] (also face powder) a type of powder that you put on your face in order to make it look smoother and to give it more colour
3. a powder keg a dangerous situation or place where violence or trouble could suddenly start:
    Since the riot, the city has been a powder keg waiting to explode.
4. [uncountable] (also powder snow) dry light snow:
    There’s a foot of powder on the slopes.
5. [uncountable] gunpowder
6. keep your powder dry to wait calmly until you see how a situation develops before deciding what to do

II
powder2 verb
1. [transitive] to put powder on something, especially your skin:
    She was powdering her face.
2. powder your nose an expression meaning to go to the toilet, used by women to avoid saying this directly:
    She’s just gone to powder her nose.