POWDER (through O. Fr. puldre,

See also:

• MODERN

modern poudre, from

See also:

• LAT

Lat. pulvis, pulveris, dust)  , the small loose particles into which solid matter is disintegrated by such processes as grinding, crushing, pounding, &c., hence any preparation which takes the form of such loose uncompacted particles, the most familiar example of such preparation being that of gunpowder (q.v.) . Many powders are found in medical uses, some of which have retained the name of their inventor, such as the compound powder of rhubarb, " Gregory powder," named after a Scottish doctor, James Gregory (1758-1822) . Various preparations in form of powder are used for toilet purposes . During the period when the hair or wig was worn " powdered " or whitened, houses had a special room set apart for the process, known as the powdering-room or closet .