rochelle salts
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Definition
Noun: 1. A specific medicinal compound: Rochelle salts are a hydrated double salt of potassium sodium tartrate, historically used as a mild laxative. 2. A chemical substance: It refers to a crystalline compound used in various applications, including in the preparation of effervescent powders and in some scientific contexts.
Usage
- Rochelle salts are primarily discussed in historical, pharmaceutical, or chemical contexts.
- The term is used as a plural noun, typically with a plural verb (e.g., "Rochelle salts are...").
Examples
- Historical/Medical Context:
- The 19th-century remedy contained Rochelle salts to relieve constipation.
- Seidlitz powder, an old-fashioned effervescent laxative, included Rochelle salts as a key ingredient.
- Chemical Context:
- The formation of large, clear crystals of Rochelle salts was part of the experiment.
Advanced Usage
- "Seidlitz powder": An effervescent preparation that historically contained Rochelle salts, sodium bicarbonate, and tartaric acid, used as a cathartic.
- The action of Seidlitz powder depended on the reaction of its components, which included Rochelle salts.
Variants and Related Words
- Potassium sodium tartrate: The systematic chemical name for Rochelle salt.
- Seignette's salt: Another historical name for the same compound.
- Tartar emetic: A related compound (antimony potassium tartrate) also derived from tartaric acid but with different properties and uses.
Synonyms
- Potassium sodium tartrate (technical)
- Seignette's salt (historical/technical)
Notes on Meaning
- The primary meaning is the specific chemical compound used medicinally. It is not a general term for any salts and does not refer to table salt (sodium chloride).
- Its use in modern medicine is largely obsolete, so references are often historical.
Noun
- a double salt used in Seidlitz powder; acts as a cathartic