powder room
noun
Forms powder rooms
- noun (originally US, euphemistic) Synonym of ladies' room: a lavatory intended for use by women. “If you'll excuse me, I need to visit the powder room to see a man about a dog.”
- noun (euphemistic) Synonym of half bath: a small room with a toilet and sink but no bathtub or shower.
- noun A room used to store gunpowder, particularly (historical) on a ship equipped with cannon. “Are you insane? Don't take a candle into the powder room!”
- noun (historical) A room used to powder hair and wigs.
Synonyms
powder closet bathroom latrine necessarium toilet toilet room urinal water closet WC cloaca closet jacques kocay siege cludgie neddy netty shield six facilities ladies' room
Etymology
In reference to lavatories, an indirection developed under the influence of powder one's nose, a euphemism for using a toilet. Compare boudoir.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “powder room”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details