Dry powder

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A powder found in a fire extinguisher that is expelled to smother the fire (in contrast with liquid types of extinguisher). countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    A powder found in an inhaler that delivers a bronchodilator for antiasthmatic or antiemphysemic purposes (indications). countable, uncountable
  3. 3
    Cash (or cash-like securities) kept in reserve in case of need. countable, uncountable

    "Private equity firms were sitting on more than $1 trillion in dry powder at the end of 2011."

  4. 4
    Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see dry, powder; especially, gunpowder kept dry to keep it from spoiling before use. countable, uncountable

Example

More examples

"Private equity firms were sitting on more than $1 trillion in dry powder at the end of 2011."

Etymology

The financial sense comes by metaphor from the sense of gunpowder kept dry to allow rapid loading of a firearm, as in the expression “keep one's powder dry”.

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