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keep (one's) powder dry - 1 dictionary result
pow·der   (pou'dər)   
n.  
  1. A substance consisting of ground, pulverized, or otherwise finely dispersed solid particles.
  2. Any of various preparations in the form of powder, as certain cosmetics and medicines.
  3. An explosive mixture, such as gunpowder.
  4. Light dry snow.
v.   pow·dered, pow·der·ing, pow·ders

v.   tr.
  1. To reduce to powder; pulverize.
  2. To dust or cover with or as if with powder.
  3. Slang To defeat handily or decisively.
v.   intr.
  1. To become pulverized; turn into powder.
  2. To use powder as a cosmetic.

[Middle English poudre, from Old French, from Latin pulvis, pulver-.]
pow'der·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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