Saltpetre

Definition:

  • (n.) 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.

Compare saltpetre with other words:

saltpetre vs. saltpetrous

gunpowder vs. saltpetre

caliche vs. saltpetre

niter vs. saltpetre

nitre vs. saltpetre

saltpeter vs. saltpetre

potassium vs. saltpetre

nitrogen vs. saltpetre

carcass vs. saltpetre