in pharmacy, a dry medicine well broken, either in a mortar by grinding, or by some chemical operation.

Gun-Powder. See Gun-Powder.

Powder-Chests, certain small boxes charged with powder and a quantity of old nails or splinters of iron, and fastened occasionally on the deck and sides of a ship, in order to be discharged on an enemy who attempts to seize her by boarding. These cases are usually from 12 to 18 inches in length, and about eight or ten in breadth, having their outer or upper part terminating in an edge. They are nailed to several places of the quarter-deck and bulk-head of the waist, having a train of powder, which communicates with the inner apartments of the ship, so as to be fired at pleasure to annoy the enemy. They are particularly used in merchant-ships which are furnished with close-quarters to oppose the boarders.

Powder for the Hair. The best sort is flax well pounded and sifted, and generally prepared with some perfume.