powder burn

American

noun

a skin burn caused by exploding gunpowder.

powder burn British

noun

a superficial burn of the skin caused by a momentary intense explosion, esp of gunpowder

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of powder burn

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

powder burn

A few hours ago I could have sworn it was a powder burn; the streak left by a burning fuse.

From The King of Arcadia by Lynde, Francis

His cap had caught a powder burn; that was all.

From Dave Darrin After The Mine Layers by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)

His neck was blackened with a powder burn, and the tunic was ripped clean off him.

From The Flying Legion by England, George Allan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023