Usage of the term dry powder originated during infantry battles fought during the era of gun powder and cannons. The gun powder had to be kept dry to be effective. It was stored in containers that were as waterproof as the technology of the times allowed, but this was not always reliable. Therefore, when the weather turned wet, commanding officers had to be concerned about retaining adequate stocks of the dry powder to effectively wage their battles.
The term is now used metaphorically in a variety of contexts. In business, unused financial capital must be kept in reserve for use in executing timely transactions. For example, homebuilders refer to keeping dry powder on hand to use when the real estate market becomes favorable. In other words, they need to have adequate cash reserves or accessible credit to purchase land and/or buildings when the investment climate is right.
Dry Powder — A slang term referring to marketable securities that are highly liquid and considered cash like. Dry powder may also refer to cash reserves kept on hand to cover future obligations or purchase assets, if conditions are favorable. Securities… … Investment dictionary
Dry powder inhaler — A Dry powder inhaler (DPI) is a device that delivers medication to the lungs in the form of a dry powder. DPIs are commonly used to treat respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and COPD although DPIs have also been used in the … Wikipedia
dry powder inhaler — noun A device with a canister holding a medicine in a dry powder form, ready to be sucked/sprayed out as aerosols, with the purpose to be inhaled by a patient into the lungs. The device is commonly used for the treatment of asthma and other type… … Wiktionary
dry powder — noun A powder found in a fire extinguisher that is expelled to smother the fire … Wiktionary
dry powder inhaler — an inhaler that disperses a cloud of dry powdered medication; most types are breath activated … Medical dictionary
Powder coating — is a type of dry coating, which is applied as a free flowing, dry powder. The main difference between a conventional liquid paint and a powder coating is that the powder coating does not require a solvent to keep the binder and filler parts in a… … Wikipedia
Powder — Pow der, n. [OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. {Polverine}, {Pulverize}.] 1. The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Powder down — Powder Pow der, n. [OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. {Polverine}, {Pulverize}.] 1. The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Powder hose — Powder Pow der, n. [OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. {Polverine}, {Pulverize}.] 1. The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Powder hoy — Powder Pow der, n. [OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. {Polverine}, {Pulverize}.] 1. The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
