Powder Meaning
/ˈpaʊ.də(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe fine particles which are the result of reducing a dry substance by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or the result of decay; dust.
nounA mixture of fine dry, sweet-smelling particles applied to the face or other body parts, to reduce shine or to alleviate chaffing.
Sentence Examples
You have to take this powder after each meal.
The Middle East is still called a powder keg.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The baker sprinkled some white ____ over the cake to make it look pretty.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She dusted a light layer of ____ sugar over the freshly baked pastries before serving them.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Let me goe grin'd their Bones to powder ſmall, […]"
— c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], page 50, column 2:
"Let them stop fretting about vegetables denied by the weather and eat chilli powder. Just explain to them that they really shouldn’t think about spiralising it, because that doesn’t work."
— 2017 February 3, Deborah Orr, “Veg crisis, what veg crisis? If we can’t have courgettes, then let us eat kale”, in The Guardian:
"She was redolent of violet sachet powder, and had warm, soft, white hands, but she danced divinely, moving as smoothly as the tide coming in."
— 1912, Willa Cather, The Bohemian Girl:
"Tut, tut, good enough to toſſe: foode for Powder, foode for Powder: they'll fill a Pit, as well as better: tuſh man, mortall men, mortall men."
— c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii], page 67, column 2:
"A circling zone thou seest / Powdered with stars."
— 1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The baker sprinkled some white ____ over the cake to make it look pretty.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She dusted a light layer of ____ sugar over the freshly baked pastries before serving them.