noun / verb
powder
POW-der/ˈpaʊdər/
A dry substance made of fine, loose particles.
The spoon tips dry flour into a mound of fine powder.
Etymology
Latin pulvis names dust, the model for powder's tiny loose particles. English extended the word from dust, ash, and cinders to any pulverized substance.
In context
each sheet is made with a core of gypsum powder ground and pressed tightly between two layers
More examples
- This detergent comes as a powder rather than a liquid.
- I grind the dried peppers into a fine powder.
- Gymnasts powder their hands with chalk before gripping the bars.
Forms
powder · powders · powdered · powdering
powdery adjective — Covered with or resembling fine, dry particles.