pow·der (pou'dər)
n.

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.

v., -dered, -der·ing, -ders.

v.tr.

1. To reduce to powder; pulverize.
2. To dust or cover with or as if with powder.
3. Slang. To defeat handily or decisively.

v.intr.

1. To become pulverized; turn into powder.
2. To use powder as a cosmetic.

idioms:

keep (one's) powder dry

1. To be ready for a challenge with little warning.

take a powder

1. To make a quick departure; run away.

[Middle English poudre, from Old French, from Latin pulvis, pulver-.]

powderer pow'der·er n.

---

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

---