POWDER, To. To salt meat slightly; as Falstaff says, "If thou embowel me to-day, I'll give you leave to powder me, and eat me too, to-morrow."—Powdering-tub. A vessel used for pickling beef, pork, &c.
POWDER-BAGS. Leathern bags containing from 20 to 40 lbs. of powder; substituted for petards at the instance of Lord Cochrane, as being more easily placed. They have lately been called Ghuznee bags.
POWDER-HOY. An ordnance vessel expressly fitted to convey powder from the land magazine to a ship; it invariably carries a red distinguishing flag, and warns the ship for which the powder is intended, to put out all fires before she comes alongside.
POWDER-MAGAZINE. The prepared space allotted for the powder on board ship.
POWDER-MONKEY. Formerly the boy of the gun, who had charge of the cartridge; now powder-man.
POWDER-VESSEL. A ship used as a floating magazine.
POWER. Mechanical force; in the steam-engine it is esteemed effective, expansive, or full. (See [Horse-power].)
POZZOLANA. Volcanic ashes, used in cement, especially if required under water.
PRACTICABLE. Said of a breach in a rampart when its slope offers a fair means of ascent to an assaulting column.
PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY. A branch of science which includes the determination of the magnitude, distance, and phenomena of the heavenly bodies; the ready reduction of observations for tangible use in navigation and geography; and the expert manipulation of astronomical instruments.