GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Atlas , n.; pl. Atlases . [L. Atlas, -antis, Gr. , , one of the older family of gods, who bears up the pillars of heaven; also Mt. Atlas, in W. Africa, regarded as the pillar of heaven. It is from the root of τλῆναι to bear. See Tolerate.]
    One who sustains a great burden.
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   (Anat.) The first vertebra of the neck, articulating immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of the head, whence the name.
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   A collection of maps in a volume; -- supposed to be so called from a picture of Atlas supporting the world, prefixed to some collections. This name is said to have been first used by Mercator, the celebrated geographer, in the 16th century.
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   A volume of plates illustrating any subject.
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   A work in which subjects are exhibited in a tabular from or arrangement; as, an historical atlas.
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   A large, square folio, resembling a volume of maps; -- called also atlas folio.
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   A drawing paper of large size. See under Paper, n.
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   Atlas powder, see Atlas powder in the vocabulary; a blasting compound containing nitroglycerin.
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2.       
   Atlas powder. A blasting powder or dynamite composed of nitroglycerin, wood fiber, sodium nitrate, and magnesium carbonate.
   Webster 1913 Suppl.
         
       

3.       
   Powder , n. [OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour, mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. Polverine, Pulverize.]
   The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it falls by decay; dust.
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   Grind their bones to powder small.
   Shak.
   
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   An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder. See Gunpowder.
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   Atlas powder, Baking powder, etc. See under Atlas, Baking, etc. -- Powder down (Zool.), the peculiar dust, or exfoliation, of powder-down feathers. -- Powder-down feather (Zool.), one of a peculiar kind of modified feathers which sometimes form patches on certain parts of some birds. They have a greasy texture and a scaly exfoliation. -- Powder-down patch (Zool.), a tuft or patch of powder-down feathers. -- Powder hose, a tube of strong linen, about an inch in diameter, filled with powder and used in firing mines. Farrow. -- Powder hoy (Naut.), a vessel specially fitted to carry powder for the supply of war ships. They are usually painted red and carry a red flag. -- Powder magazine, or Powder room. See Magazine, 2. -- Powder mine, a mine exploded by gunpowder. See Mine. -- Powder monkey (Naut.), a boy formerly employed on war vessels to carry powder; a powder boy. -- Powder post. See Dry rot, under Dry. -- Powder puff. See Puff, n.
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