poverty-weed 
grain-field weed with showy red and yellow 
flowers. [Isle of Wight.] 
povey (puv'i), n. The white owl, or barn-owl. 
('. Nirniiinon. [Gloucestershire, EE 
pOW 1 (pou), 
. 3ng.l 
A Scotch form otpolft. 
But now your brow Is held, John, 
Your locks are like the snaw ; 
But blessings on your frosty pow, 
John Anderson, my Jo. 
Burnt, John Andenon. 
pow'-'t (pou), interj. A variant olpooh. 
Fir. The gods grant them true ! 
Vol. True! pour, wow. Shat., Cor., U. 1. 157. 
powan, H. Same as pollan. [Scotch.] 
powder (pou'der), . [Early mod. E. also 
ponder, poulder; < ME. powder, pmcdyr, poirdur, 
/Miiiiler, poudre, dust, powder (= D. poeder, hair- 
powder, = MLG. puder, pudel, powder, = G. pu- 
dcr = Sw. puder = Dan. pudtler, hair-powder), < 
OF. poudre, poldre, puldre, pouldre, F. poudre = 
8p. polvo, polvora = Pg. po, polvora = It.polve, 
polvere = D.pulver = MLG. pulver = MHG. pul- 
ver, bulver, G. palter Sw. Dan. pulver, pow- 
der, < L. pulris (pulver-), ML. also pulver, dust, 
powder; ct. pollen, fine flour (see pollen). From 
L. pulvis are also ult. E. pulrerize, pulverulent, 
etc.] 1. Fine, minute, loose, uncompacted par- 
ticles, such as result from pounding or grinding 
a solid substance ; dust. 
On his face than fell he downe, 
And kest pouder opon his croune. 
Holy Hood (ed. Morris), p. 66. 
The poudre in which myii hert ybrend shal turne, 
That preye I the thow tak, and it conserve 
In a vesselle that men clepeth an urne. 
Chaucer, Troilus, v. 309. 
Therfore, whan the! wil schryven hem, the! taken Fyre, 
and sette it besyde hem, and casten therin Poudre of 
Frank encens. Mandenille, Travels, p. 120. 
They [the Indians! hane amongst them Physicians or 
Priests, whose dead bodies they burue with great solemn!- 
tie, and make poulder of the bones, which the kinsmen a 
yeare after drink. Pvrchas, Pilgrimage, p. 774. 
2. A preparation or composition, in the form of 
dust or minute loose particles, applied in vari- 
ous ways, as in the toilet, etc.: as, \&\T-poicder ; 
face-pott><fer. 
The flsche In a dlsche clenly that ye lay 
With vineger and powdur ther vppon, thus is vsed ay. 
Balxes Book(E. K. T. S.), p. 159. 
3. A composition of saltpeter, sulphur, and 
charcoal, mixed and granulated: more particu- 
larly designated gunpowder (which see). 
These violent delights have violent ends, 
And in their triumph die, like tire and pmrdrr. 
Ska*., R. and J., ii. 6. 10. 
Like their great Marquis, they could not 
The smell of powder bide. 
Marquis nf Huntletj't Retreat (Child's Ballads, VII. 272). 
4. Seasoning, either of salt or of spices. 5. 
A medical remedy, or a dose of some medical 
remedy, in the form of powder, or minute loose 
or uncompacted particles: as, he has to take 
three powders every hour Antacid powder, com- 
pound powder of rhubarb. Antlmonlal powder, oxid 
of antimony and precipitated calcium phosphate.. Also 
called James's powder, Aromatic powder, cinnamon, 
ginger, and cardamom, with or without nutmeg. Brass- 
powder. See frretM'. Compound chalk powder, pre- 
pared chalk, acacia, and sugar. Compound efferves- 
cing powder, a compound of two ingredients (35 grains 
of tartaric acid and a mixture of 40 grains of sodium bi- 
carbonate with 120 grains of potassium and sodium tar- 
trate) dissolved separately and the solutions mixed im- 
mediately before use. Also called Sridltiz powder. 
Compound licorice powder, senna, glycyrrhiza, and 
sugar, with or without fennel and washed sulphur. Com- 
pound powder of catechu, catechu, kino, rhatany-bark, 
cinnamon-bark, and nutmeg. Compound powder of 
morphine, morphine, camphor, glycyrrhiza, and precipi- 
tated calcium carbonate. Also called TuUy'i powder. 
Compound powder of opium, opium, black pepper, gin- 
ger, caraway-fruit, and tragacanth. Compound Pow- 
der of rhubarb, rhubarb, magnesia, and ginger. Com- 
pound powder of tragacanth, tragacanth, gum acacia, 
starch, and sugar. Cubical powder. Same as cube- 
pnwder. Cyanide powder. See cyanide. Detonat- 
ing powders. See detonating. Dover's powder, the 
more common name for powder of ipecac and opium. 
As originally prepared by the English physician Thomas 
Dover (died 1742), it was composed of potassium nitrate 
and sulphate, each 4 parts, opium. Ipecac, and licorice- 
root, each Ipart. Effervescing powder. Same as fnda 
powder. Flour of powder, See/fm/r. Fulminating 
powders. Same as detonating powders. Ooa powder. 
[So called from the Portuguese colony of Qoa In India, 
where the substance, imported from Bahia in Brazil, ap- 
pears to have been introduced about the year 1852.] A 
powder found in the longitudinal canals and interspaces of 
the wood of Andim araroba, a tree growing In Brazil and 
the East Indies. Its color varies from ocher to chocolate- 
brown. It has a bitter taste, and is used sometimes in 
medicine In the treatment of skin-diseases. It consists 
chiefly of chrysarobin, and is used for the preparation of 
chrysophanic acid. Also called chrytarMn James s 
powder, >i celebrated nostrum of Dr. James, an English 
physician (died 1776), composed of calcium phosphate and 
antimony oxid. The phrase is often used for antimomal 
powder. Jesuits' powder. See Jewit. Knoz's pow- 
293 
4661 
der, chlorinated lime. Healed powder, powder pnl- 
verlzed by treatment with alcohol Also called meal 
pomler. E. //. Knight. Mica-powder. See mfea*. 
Molded powder, a gunpowder whose gralni are formed 
In a mold, Oilstone-powder. Bee oitttone. Portland 
powder, gentian-root, aristolochla-root, germander, 
ground-pine, and lower centaury. Powder of Algaroth, 
the powder precipitated from the aqueous solution of the 
tercnlorid of antimony by an excess of water. It la chiefly 
composed of the oxychlorid. Powder of aloes and ca- 
nella, socotrine aloes and canella. Also called hiera-picra. 
Powder of Ipecac and opium, ipecac l part, opium 
1 part, and sugar of milk (or potassium sulphate) 8 parts : 
a powder widely used as an anodyne diaphoretic under 
the more common name of Dover't powder. Powder Of 
Iron, reduced iron. Powder of projection. See pro- 
JieMon. Powder of sympathy. Same as tympathelic 
powder. Prismatic powder, a gunpowder adapted for 
heavy cannon. The grains arc hexagonal prisms, with 
six cylindrical holes pierced parallel to the axis and 
symmetrically disposed around it. In putting up the 
cartridges, the prisms are arranged so that the ori flees 
are continuous throughout the length. Seldlltl pow- 
der. Same as compound effenetcing powder. Soda 
powder, sodium bicarltonate 30 grains, tartaric acid 25 
grains. Styptic powder, alum, gum acacia, and colo- 
phony, or argil, tragacantii, and colophony. Sympa- 
thetic powder, a powder "aald to have the faculty, If 
applied to the blood-stained garment* of a wounded per- 
son, to cure his injuries, even though he were at a great 
distance at the time. A friar, returning from the Rut, 
brought the recipe to Europe somewhat before the middle 
of the seventeenth century" (O. W. Holme*, Med. Essays, 
f). 8). Talcum powder, powdered soapstone: used as a 
ocal application for inflamed and chafed surfaces, Ten- 
nant's powder, chlorinated lime. To fluff powdert. 
See flu/". Tully's powder. Same as cttmptntnd pow- 
der o/ morphine : so named from Dr. William Tully, an 
American physician, who originated it. Vienna pow- 
der, potassa and lime. VlgO's powder, red oxid ol 
mercury. Violet powder, a toilet-powder made of pul- 
verized starch scented with so-called violet extract. 
powder (pou'der), r. [Early mod. E. also ;>- 
der, poulder, pouldre; < ME. nowdfren, pouilrrn 
(= D. poederen, powder, = MLG. pudcrrn, sea- 
son, spice, = G. pudern = Sw. pudra = Dan. pu- 
dre, powder), < OF. poiidrrr, poultlrer,poldrer, F. 
pinidrer = Sp. jutlrorear, < ML. pulrerore, pow- 
der/ li.pulrui(pulrer-), powder: see/>oirrfcr,ii.] 
1. trans. If. To reduce to powder; pulverize; 
triturate ; pound, grind, or rub to fine particles. 
And, were not hevenly grace that did him blesse, 
lie had beene ptntldred all as thin as ftowre. 
ttpetuvr, F. Q., I. vil. 12. 
2. To sprinkle with powder, dust, ashes, etc.; 
specifically, to put powder upon : as, to ponder 
the hair or the face. 
Thou sal make sorow in goddes sight ; 
Fall to erth anil powder the. 
Holy Itnod (ed. MorrlsX p. 85. 
If the said Ambassador were here among us, he would 
think our modem Gallants were also mad. . . . because 
they ash and powder their Pericraniums all the Year long. 
Iloirell, letters, Iv. 5. 
He came back late, laid by cloak, staff, and hat, 
Powdered so thick with snow It made us laugh. 
Browning, Ring and Book, II. 15. 
3. To sprinkle with salt, spices, or other season- 
ing; hence, to corn; pickle. 
Seththe sche broujt horn In haste 
Plovcrys poudryd In paste. 
Sir Deyrevant, 1. 1402. 
If thou embowel me to-day, I'll give you leave to pow- 
der me and eat me too to-morrow. 
Shalt., 1 Hen. IV., v. 4. 112. 
One amongst the rest did kill his wife, powdered her, 
and had eaten part of her Iwfore it was knowne. 
Quoted In Capt. John Smith'! Works, II. 12. 
4. To sprinkle as with powder; stud; orna- 
ment with a small pattern, continually re- 
peated. 
No patchwork quilt, all seams and scan. 
But velvet, powder'd with golden stars. 
Hood, Miss Kilmansegg, Her Dream. 
5. To whiten by some application of white ma- 
terial in the form of a powder: thus, lace which 
has grown yellow is powdered by being placed 
in a packet of white lead and beaten. 6. To 
scatter; place here and there as if sprinkled 
like powder: as, to potfder violets on a silk 
ground. 
GUofre, gyngure, A gromylyonn, 
& nyonys powdered ay betwene. 
Alliterative Pm.(ed. MorrlsX L 44. 
II. intrans. 1. To fall to dust; be reduced 
to powder. 2. To apply powder to the hair or 
face ; use powder in the toilet. 
The Deacon . . . went to the barber 1 *, where the bi- 
weekly operation of shaving and ptncdering J"P*J* ormc< ( J- 
3. To attack violently; make a great stir. 
Whilst two companions were disputing it at sword's 
point, down comes a kite powdering vpon them, and goli. 
bets up both. 
He had done wonders before, but now he began tojwir- 
der away like a raving giant 
powder-blower (pou'der-blo'er). . 1. A sur- 
gical instrument for throwing powder upon a 
diseased part. 2. A small bellows, or corn- 
powder-flask 
pressible bulb, with a long and slender nozlr, 
used for blowing insect-powder into creviced, 
or among aphides, etc., which infest green- 
house-plants; an insect-gun, 
powder-box (pou'der-boks), n. A box in which 
powder is kept. Especially () A box for toilet-pow- 
der, large enough to contain a puff. 
Betty, bring the potrdtrbox to your lady ; It gives one a 
clean look (tho' your complexion doe< not want It) to en- 
liven it. Steele, Lying Lover, III. 1. 
(6) A l" '\ for powder or sand used on the writing-table, 
generally rather small andwlthacoverplerced with holes, 
i'onipare pounce-box. 
powder-cart (pou'd6r-kart), n. A two-wheeled 
covered cart that carries powder and shot for 
artillery. 
powder-chamber (pou'der-cham'ber), w. See 
chamber, 5 (6) (2). 
powder-chest (pou'der-chest), n. A small box 
or case charged with powder, old nails, etc., 
formerly secured over the side of a ship and 
discharged at an enemy attempting to board. 
powder-division (pou'der-di-vizh'on), n. On 
a man-of-war, a division of the crew detailed 
to supply ammunition during action. 
powder-down (pou'der-doun), w. In omith., 
certain down-feathers or plumulaa, technically 
called pulriplumes, which grow indefinitely, and 
continually break down at their ends into a kind 
of powdery or scurfy exfoliation. Such plumule* are 
not found on most birds ; they occur In various represen* 
tatives of the raptorial, paittaclne, and gallinaceous trfltes, 
and especially in the heron tribe and some other wading 
birds, where they form matted manses of peculiar texture 
and appearance, called powder-down tract* or patfhe. 
Theoe tracU are definite in number and situation in the 
several klndsof blrdson which they occur. Thus,in the true 
herons, there are three pairs, one on the lower back over 
each hip, one on each side nf the lower l>elly under each hip, 
and one on each side of the breast along the track of the 
furcula. Hitterns have two pain (none under the hips); 
boathllls have one extra pair over the shoulder-blades. 
powdered (pou'derd), a. 1. Having the appear- 
ance of powder, or of a surface covered with 
fine powder : as, a pittcdered glaze in porcelain ; 
in :ool., marked as if powdered or dusted over: 
as, the powdered quaker, Ttmiocampa grnrilix, a 
moth ; the poicdered wainscot, tiitnyra renosti, a 
moth. 2. Ornamented with a small pattern, as 
a flower or the like, continually repeated. Thi 
sort of design diflen from diaper In not covering the sur- 
face so completely, and in showing the pattern isolated 
with background between. 
3. In her., same as nnf. 4. Burnt in smok- 
ing, as a herring. Powdered gold, aventuiin. 
powder-flag (pou'der-flag), . A plain red flag 
hoisted at the fore, to denote that the vessel 
is taking in or discharging powder. Prcbtt, 
Hist. Flag, p. 670. 
powder-flask (pou 'der -flask), H. A flask in 
which gunpowder is carried. The powder-flask was 
developed from the earlier powder-horn. It was made of 
metal, of a slie convenient for handling and carrying about 
the person, In shape usually something like a flattened 
Florence flask, and fitted with a special device for measur- 
ing and cutting off a charge of powder to be dropped into 
the fowllng-arm. The powder-flask has nearly disappeared 
with thedbuie of the old fashioned muzzle-loading shot- 
gun and the invention of special contrivances for loading 
shells or cartridges. 
I, of ttag ' horn, 17* at iSth center; ; >. of cow't ban. 
