Definition of Saltpeter

Salt`pe´ter
n.1.(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.


Related Words

fertiliser, fertilizer, niter, nitrate, nitre, plant food, potassium nitrate, saltpetre

Search

Word:

Browse

Saltatory spasm
Saltbush
Saltcat
Saltcellar
Salter
Saltern
Saltfoot
Saltie
Saltier
Saltigradae
Saltigrade
Saltimbanco
Salting
Saltire
Saltirewise
Saltish
Saltless
Saltly
Saltmouth
Saltness
Saltpeter acid
Saltpetrous
Salts of lemon
salts of sorrel
Saltwort
Salty
Salubrious
Salubrity
Salue
Salutary
Salutation
Salutatorian
Salutatorily
Salutatory
Salute
Saluter
Salutiferous
Salutiferously
Salvability
Salvable
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
© 2008 Interapple, Inc.Cover