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Glite Dictionary
powder compact

powder compact

4.3
A small flat case with a mirror that holds face powder to touch up makeup
  • noun
  • /ˈpaʊdər ˈkɒmpækt/
translation icon : polvera
  • After applying her foundation, she used a powder compact to set her makeup.

This is an old Stratton powder compact.

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Examples

  • Also, for women, powder compacts being shiny is not a cute little thing.

  • And I'm liking it too, but I feel like I'm doing something different when I reach for a powder compact bronzer.

  • Lip gloss, powder compact, mascara, hair spray.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • This one reminds me a lot of Fenty's amber shade and probably next to the powder compacts in terms of cuteness factor.

  • She pulled out her powder compact to freshen her makeup during the meeting.

  • The powder compact she carries in her purse has a small mirror inside.

Synonyms

compact
vspowder compact
5 4.2

A small flat case with powder and a mirror for quick makeup touch ups

serves for full applying of makeup rather than only quick touch-ups

How Portable

powder compact
4.3

Surface Forms

powder compact singular
powder compacts plural

Morphology

powder + compact

The phrase is a straightforward noun–noun compound: a "compact" (handheld makeup case) specified as for "powder," so its meaning is directly inferable from the constituents. This compositional pattern (a container named for its contents or purpose) is common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words should readily understand it.

Etymology

Powder compact comes from the simple idea of a small case for face powder and the word compact, meaning 'small and easy to carry'. Picture a flat box with a mirror that fits in a purse, and that's why it means a small container for touching up makeup.