α. 1500s empowdred (past participle), 1600s empouder, 1800s– empowder.
β. 1600s impouder.
empowderv.
/ɪmˈpaʊdə/, /ɛmˈpaʊdə/, U.S. /ᵻmˈpaʊdər/, /ɛmˈpaʊdər/ Now rare.
transitive. = powder v.1 (in various senses).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > sprinkle > sprinkle (a surface) with something > with any powder
powderc1380
empowder1548
dust1591
over-dredge1594
dredge1596
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John Pref. Clothe of golde empowdred emong patches of canuesse, or perles and diamondes emong peoblestones.
1633 T. Johnson Gerard's Herball (new ed.) ii. 557 A quantity of Annise-seed impoudered and implaistered vpon an angina.
1639 T. Cary tr. J. Puget de la Serre Mirrour which flatters Not iv. 217 Some have had no other care but of their Hair, employing the greatest part of their time, either to frizle or to empouder them.
1859 M. V. F. Victor Miss Slimmens' Window & Other Papers 140 A little rustaceous abode..in the Gothic style of archetype, standing in the midst of a lawn, empowdered in trees.
1922 C. E. Hewes Songs of Rockies 105 Thy pap'd crests, All empowdered with winter's spotless snow.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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