saltpetre
English
Alternative forms
- saltpeter (US)
Etymology
From Middle English saltpetre, alteration of Old French salpetre, from Medieval Latin sāl petrae (“salt of the rock”), named so, since found as an incrustation. Association with salt led to the alteration of spelling in the first element.
Noun
saltpetre (usually uncountable, plural saltpetres)
- (originally) Potassium nitrate.
- (uncommon) Sodium nitrate.
Synonyms
- (potassium nitrate): Chilean saltpeter/Chilean saltpetre, nitrate of potash, niter/nitre, potassium nitrate
- (sodium nitrate): caliche, Chile saltpeter/Chile saltpetre, soda niter/soda nitre, sodium nitrate
Derived terms
- Chile saltpetre
- Chilean saltpetre
- Norway salpetre
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