Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Saltpetre

{

Saltˊpe′ter

,

Saltˊpe′tre

, }
(sa̤ltˊpē′tẽr)
,
Noun.
[F.
salpêtre
, NL.
sal petrae
, literally, rock salt, or stone salt; so called because it exudes from rocks or walls. See
Salt
, and
Petrify
.]
(Chem.)
Potassium nitrate; niter; a white crystalline substance,
KNO3
, having a cooling saline taste, obtained by leaching from certain soils in which it is produced by the process of nitrification (see
Nitrification
, 2). It is a strong oxidizer, is the chief constituent of gunpowder, and is also used as an antiseptic in curing meat, and in medicine as a diuretic, diaphoretic, and refrigerant.
Chili salpeter
(Chem.)
,
sodium nitrate (distinguished from potassium nitrate, or true salpeter), a white crystalline substance,
NaNO3
, having a cooling, saline, slightly bitter taste. It is obtained by leaching the soil of the rainless districts of Chili and Peru. It is deliquescent and cannot be used in gunpowder, but is employed in the production of nitric acid. Called also
cubic niter
.
Saltpeter acid
(Chem.)
,
nitric acid; – sometimes so called because made from saltpeter.

Definition 2024


saltpetre

saltpetre

English

Alternative forms

Noun

saltpetre (usually uncountable, plural saltpetres)

  1. Potassium nitrate.
  2. Sodium nitrate.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams