The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it falls by decay; dust. "Grind their bones to powder small."
2.
An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder. See Gunpowder.
Atlas powder, Baking powder, etc. See under Atlas, Baking, etc.
Powder down (Zool.), the peculiar dust, or exfoliation, of powder-down feathers.
Powder-down feather (Zool.), one of a peculiar kind of modified feathers which sometimes form patches on certain parts of some birds. They have a greasy texture and a scaly exfoliation.
Powder-down patch (Zool.), a tuft or patch of powder-down feathers.
Powder hose, a tube of strong linen, about an inch in diameter, filled with powder and used in firing mines.
Powder hoy (Naut.), a vessel specially fitted to carry powder for the supply of war ships. They are usually painted red and carry a red flag.
