Poudre

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A dry and finely processed matter made up of tiny granules, typically utilized in beauty routines or medicinal formulations
2. This substance in a powdered state is often applied in culinary practices or scientific processes for various enhancements
3. A substance composed of very small particles in a dry, loose form used for diverse purposes

Etymology: In Latin, "pulvis" meant dust, and the French word for powder, "poudre," descends from it. The sense of fine, dry particles was there from the start, so the word never shifted from something solid to something abstract. Along the way, the Latin stem also gave English "pulverize," a learned borrowing that kept the idea of reducing something to dust. English took its word for powder from Old French, where "poudre" had come to mean fine dust as well as the substance made by grinding. The English form kept the sense of something finely divided and dry, now used for everything from face powder to gunpowder. The French side of the family also produced "poudrier," the small compact that holds face powder.

Synonyms: powder, dust, particle, grain, dusting