From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
[1913 Webster]
Grind their bones to powder small. --Shak.
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2. An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.;
gunpowder. See {Gunpowder}.
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{Atlas powder}, {Baking powder}, etc. See under {Atlas},
{Baking}, etc.
{Powder down} (Zool.), the peculiar dust, or exfoliation, of
powder-down feathers.
{Powder-down feather} (Zool.), 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} (Zool.), 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.
[1913 Webster]
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