powder burn

noun

1. a skin burn caused by exploding gunpowder.

powder burn

noun

1. a superficial burn of the skin caused by a momentary intense explosion, esp of gunpowder

Word History and Origins

Origin of powder burn¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

On the body of the person whose hands were bound, there were powder burn marks on his lips and face.

From Reuters

Above his ear, beneath the wire stem of his spectacles, I could just make out the powder burn and the dark hole in his right temple.

From Literature

It has a low ignition temperature of 261� C., and makes the powder burn more readily.

From Project Gutenberg

You can almost feel the powder burn when in My Problem Is You Browne sings, "I wanted to live in the realm of the senses/ You've got to know how/ And for some kinds of pleasure there are no defenses/ I know that now."

From Time Magazine Archive

Exploratory surgery had led doctors to conclude that Root's injuries resulted from a gunshot wound -- apparently inflicted in the air and at such close range that a powder burn surrounded the entrance hole.

From Time Magazine Archive