Definition

1. Noun:
   • Saltpetre / Niter: A white, crystalline mineral substance, primarily potassium nitrate (KNO₃), which occurs naturally. It is used historically in the manufacture of gunpowder, as a food preservative (especially for curing meats), and in some fertilizers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Diêm tiêu là một thành phần quan trọng trong thuốc súng cổ đại. (Saltpetre is a key component in ancient gunpowder.)
  • Người ta dùng diêm tiêu để ướp thịt, giúp thịt giữ được màu sắc và không bị hỏng. (People use saltpetre to cure meat, helping it retain its color and preventing spoilage.)
  • Diêm tiêu có thể được tìm thấy trong các hang động hoặc trên các bức tường đá. (Saltpetre can be found in caves or on stone walls.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "diêm tiêu" is considered somewhat archaic or technical in modern Vietnamese. In everyday contexts, especially for food preservation, the specific compound "Kali Nitrat" (Potassium Nitrate) or the purpose "chất bảo quản" (preservative) is more commonly used.
• In historical or alchemical contexts, it is the classic term for this substance.

Variants and Related Words

• Kali Nitrat (n): Potassium Nitrate, the chemical name for common saltpetre.
• Thuốc súng (n): Gunpowder, an explosive mixture historically containing saltpetre.
• Chất bảo quản (n): Preservative, a general term for substances that prevent decay.

Synonyms

• Saltpetre
• Niter
• Potassium Nitrate (chemical term)

Related Terms

• Gunpowder: A historic explosive mixture typically containing saltpetre, charcoal, and sulfur.
• Curing: The process of preserving meat, often using saltpetre or similar salts.
• Fertilizer: A substance added to soil to provide nutrients; potassium nitrate is sometimes used for this purpose.

1. Saltpetre