Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - powder

~1 n 1 a dry substance in the form of very small grains  (Grind the sugar into a powder. | Zara put down some insect powder to kill the ants. | milk/custard etc powder (=food that is stored as a powder and which you add water to in order to make it back into a liquid)) 2 take a powder AmE informal to leave a place quickly, especially to avoid a difficult situation  (When she shows up I'll take a powder.) 3 a powder keg a dangerous situation or place where violence or trouble could suddenly start  (Since the riot the city has been a powder keg waiting to blow.) 4 powder snow snow consisting of extremely small pieces ~2 v 1 to put powder on something, especially your skin  (Dana took out her compact and began powdering her cheeks.) 2 be powdered with to be covered with small pieces of something  (Their shoulders were powdered with snow.) 3 powder your nose an expression meaning to go to the toilet, used by women to avoid saying this directly