Saltpeter acid

Saltpeter acid
Saltpeter Salt`pe"ter, Saltpetre Salt`pe"tre,, n. [F. salp[^e]tre, NL. sal petrae, literally, rock salt, or stone salt; so called because it exudes from rocks or walls. See {Salt}, and {Petrify}.] (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. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Saltpeter — Salt pe ter, Saltpetre Salt pe tre,, n. [F. salp[^e]tre, NL. sal petrae, literally, rock salt, or stone salt; so called because it exudes from rocks or walls. See {Salt}, and {Petrify}.] (Chem.) Potassium nitrate; niter; a white crystalline… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sulfuric acid — Sulfuric acid …   Wikipedia

  • nitric acid — Chem. a colorless or yellowish, fuming, suffocating, caustic, corrosive, water soluble liquid, HNO3, having powerful oxidizing properties, usually obtained from ammonia or from Chile saltpeter: used chiefly in the manufacture of explosives and… …   Universalium

  • Chili salpeter — Saltpeter Salt pe ter, Saltpetre Salt pe tre,, n. [F. salp[^e]tre, NL. sal petrae, literally, rock salt, or stone salt; so called because it exudes from rocks or walls. See {Salt}, and {Petrify}.] (Chem.) Potassium nitrate; niter; a white… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cubic niter — Saltpeter Salt pe ter, Saltpetre Salt pe tre,, n. [F. salp[^e]tre, NL. sal petrae, literally, rock salt, or stone salt; so called because it exudes from rocks or walls. See {Salt}, and {Petrify}.] (Chem.) Potassium nitrate; niter; a white… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • KNO3 — Saltpeter Salt pe ter, Saltpetre Salt pe tre,, n. [F. salp[^e]tre, NL. sal petrae, literally, rock salt, or stone salt; so called because it exudes from rocks or walls. See {Salt}, and {Petrify}.] (Chem.) Potassium nitrate; niter; a white… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • NaNO3 — Saltpeter Salt pe ter, Saltpetre Salt pe tre,, n. [F. salp[^e]tre, NL. sal petrae, literally, rock salt, or stone salt; so called because it exudes from rocks or walls. See {Salt}, and {Petrify}.] (Chem.) Potassium nitrate; niter; a white… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Saltpetre — Saltpeter Salt pe ter, Saltpetre Salt pe tre,, n. [F. salp[^e]tre, NL. sal petrae, literally, rock salt, or stone salt; so called because it exudes from rocks or walls. See {Salt}, and {Petrify}.] (Chem.) Potassium nitrate; niter; a white… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Seasoning — Alternate meanings: Seasoning (cast iron); Seasoning (wood); Seasoning (slave) Seasoning is the process of imparting or improving flavor of food. [The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd Edition (1989)] Seasonings include herbs, spices, and all other… …   Wikipedia

  • potassium-nitrate — saltpeter, salt of nitric acid with potassium, niter …   English contemporary dictionary

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