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.

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

It has a low ignition temperature of 261� C., and makes the powder burn more readily.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 3: Estremoz to Felspar by Various

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