powder

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A dry substance made of very fine particles.

   Add a spoonful of cocoa powder to the milk.

2. 2
   verb

   To put powder onto a surface or part of the body.

   She powdered her face before going out.

3. 3
   verb

   To crush something into a fine powder.

   The machine powders the dried herbs.

From Middle English poudre, pouder, pouldre, borrowed from Old French poudre, poldre, puldre, from Latin pulverem, accusative singular of Latin pulvis (“dust, powder”). Doublet of pulver. Compare pollen (“fine flour”), polverine, pulverize.

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