'Powder down' definitions:

Definition of 'Powder down'

From: GCIDE
  • Powder \Pow"der\, n. [OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. Polverine, Pulverize.]
  • 1. The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it falls by decay; dust. [1913 Webster]
  • Grind their bones to powder small. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder. See Gunpowder. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. --Farrow.
  • 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.
  • Powder magazine, or Powder room. See Magazine, 2.
  • Powder mine, a mine exploded by gunpowder. See Mine.
  • Powder monkey (Naut.), a boy formerly employed on war vessels to carry powder; a powder boy.
  • Powder post. See Dry rot, under Dry.
  • Powder puff. See Puff, n. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Powder down'