Dictionary

dry powder en · NOUN

Etymology

The financial sense comes by metaphor from the sense of gunpowder kept dry to allow rapid loading of a firearm, as in the expression keep one's powder dry.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) A powder found in a fire extinguisher that is expelled to smother the fire (in contrast with liquid types of extinguisher).
2. (countable, uncountable) A powder found in an inhaler that delivers a bronchodilator for antiasthmatic or antiemphysemic purposes (indications).
3. (countable, uncountable) Cash (or cash-like securities) kept in reserve in case of need.
   • Private equity firms were sitting on more than $1 trillion in dry powder at the end of 2011.
4. (countable, uncountable) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see dry, powder; especially, gunpowder kept dry to keep it from spoiling before use.

Forms

Deriveds

dry powder inhaler

Relateds

keep one's powder dry (stay prepared, maintain reserves)

Translations (1)

de Löschpulver (powder from a fire extinguisher)