powder
UK[ˈpaʊdə]US[ˈpaʊdər]
n
A dry substance in the form of very small, loose particles.
n
A cosmetic or medicinal preparation in this form.
v
To apply or sprinkle a powder onto something.
v
To reduce something to a powder.
Etymology
The word 'powder' entered English in the 13th century from Old French 'poudre', meaning 'dust' or 'ashes'. This Old French term itself evolved from Latin 'pulvis' (genitive 'pulveris'), which carried the core meaning of 'dust' or 'powder'. The semantic journey is direct and concrete, moving from the general concept of fine, dry particulate matter to its specific modern applications in cooking, cosmetics, and explosives. The phonetic shift from Latin 'pulvis' to Old French 'poudre' illustrates common sound changes, such as the loss of the 'l' and the voicing of 'v' to 'd', as the word passed through the Romance languages before its adoption into English.
Analysis
The modern English word 'powder' is a simplex form derived from a single, indivisible root.
Examples
She dusted her face with a light translucent powder.
The machine is used to powder the minerals for industrial use.
He spilled gunpowder on the workbench.