n. & v.
n. 1 a substance in the form of fine dry particles. 2 a medicine or cosmetic in this form. 3 = GUNPOWDER.
v.tr. 1 a apply powder to (powder one's nose). b sprinkle or decorate with or as with powder. 2 (esp. as powdered adj.) reduce to a fine powder (powdered milk). keep one's powder dry be cautious and alert. powder blue pale blue. powder-flask hist. a small case for carrying gunpowder. powder-keg 1 a barrel of gunpowder. 2 a dangerous or volatile situation. powder metallurgy the production of metal as fine powders to make objects. powder-monkey hist. a boy employed on board ship to carry powder to the guns. powder-puff a soft pad for applying powder to the skin, esp. the face. powder-room a women's cloakroom or lavatory in a public building. powder snow loose dry snow on a ski-run etc. take a powder sl. depart quickly. powdery adj.
[ ME f. OF poudre f. L pulvis pulveris dust ]