pulverulent

[puhl-ver-yuh-luhnt, -ver-uh-luhnt]

adjective

1. consisting of dust or fine powder.

2. crumbling to dust or powder.

3. covered with dust or powder.

pulverulent

/ pʌlˈvɛrʊlənt /

adjective

1. consisting of, covered with, or crumbling to dust or fine particles

Other Word Forms

• pulverulence noun
• pulverulently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulverulent¹

1650–60; < Latin pulverulentus dusty, equivalent to pulver- (stem of pulvis ) dust + -ulentus -ulent

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulverulent¹

C17: from Latin pulverulentus, from pulvis dust

Example Sentences

Fronds mostly chaffy, woolly, or pulverulent, rarely smooth.

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In this pulverulent state the gold is mixed with 1⁄12th of its weight of oxide of bismuth, together with a small quantity of borax and gum water.

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When the calcination, however, is conducted at such a temperature that only about 75% of the water is lost, it yields a white pulverulent substance, known as “plaster of Paris,” which may readily be caused to recombine with water, forming a hard cement.

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When the vein-stuff has been raised it is reduced to a pulverulent condition, to liberate the gold from the gangue.

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Its wood is of a yellow colour merging into green, and has an almost pulverulent fracture; the flowers are yellow and conspicuous; and the fruit is dry and 4-winged.

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