saltpetre
/'sɔ:lt,pi:tə/
Definition
Noun: 1. Potassium nitrate (KNO₃): A white crystalline chemical compound, used historically and in modern times primarily as a fertilizer, a food preservative, and a key ingredient in gunpowder and other explosives. 2. A mineral source of potassium nitrate: A natural mineral deposit, often found as efflorescences on walls or in caves in arid regions.
Usage
- As a chemical compound:
- Saltpetre is an essential component of black powder.
- The recipe calls for a small amount of saltpetre to cure the meat.
- Referring to the mineral:
- Miners extracted saltpetre from the cave walls.
Advanced Usage
- "Chile saltpetre": A historical and commercial term for sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), a different compound also used as a fertilizer and in explosives. This term highlights a specific geographical source.
- In the 19th century, Chile saltpetre was a major export commodity.
Variants and Related Words
- Nitre (chiefly British spelling): An alternative spelling for .
- Potassium nitrate: The systematic chemical name.
- Saltpeter (chiefly American spelling): The most common variant spelling.
Synonyms
- Nitre
- Potassium nitrate
- Saltpeter
Related Phrases and Compounds
- Cubic saltpetre: An archaic term for sodium nitrate, referring to its crystal structure.
- Black powder: The classic explosive mixture containing saltpetre, sulfur, and charcoal.
Noun
-
(KNO3) used especially as a fertilizer and explosive
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ gần giống
