Powder | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Pow'der, n.

noun

n. [O. Eng. poudre, poulder, Fr. poudre, O. Fr. poldre, puldre, Pr. pols, polvera, pedra, Sp. polvo, polvora, It. polve, polvere, Lat. pulvis, pulveris.] 1. The fine particles into which any substance is pounded or ground, or into which it falls by decay; dust. Grind their bones to powder small. Shak.

Especially, a composition of saltpeter, sulphur, and charcoal, mixed and granulated; gunpowder.
A perfumed dust, as pulverized starch, formerly used for dressing the hair.

Dover's powder. See DOVER'S POWDER. — James's powder, a celebrated antimonial powder, formerly much esteemed as a febrifuge. It is a combination of peroxide of antimony with phosphate of lime. — Powder of algaroth. See ALGAROTH.

Pow'der, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. POWDERED; p. pr. & vb. n. POWDERING.] [Fr. poudrer, O. Fr. poldrer.]

To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into fine particles; to comminute; to pulverize.
To sprinkle with powder, or as with powder; as, to powder the hair.

A circling zone thou seest Powdered with stars. Milton. 3. To sprinkle with salt; to corn, as meat. Bacon.

Pow'der, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. 1. To separate into minute particles; to become like powder; as, some salts powder easily.

Sense 2. To come violently. [Obs.] L'Estrange.