saltpetre

British  

/ ˌsɔːltˈpiːtə /

noun

1. another name for potassium nitrate

2. short for Chile saltpetre

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Etymology

Origin of saltpetre

C16: from Old French salpetre, from Latin sal petrae salt of rock

Example Sentences

Saltpetre – sometimes called sal prunella – has been used in some recipes for salted meats since ancient times.

From The Guardian • Mar. 1, 2018

Saltpetre 50 66.6 52.2 68.3 75.6 73 78 Charcoal ?

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 "Groups, Theory of" to "Gwyniad" by Various

Saltpetre was in great demand in the Middle Ages for the manufacture of gunpowder, and the first record of that substance and of explosive weapons necessarily involves the knowledge of saltpetre.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius

Antimony Crude one ounce, Lobelia gr. one ounce, Ginger two ounces, Sulphur Flour three ounces, Berberry gr. one ounce, Cream Tartar four ounces, Saltpetre Flour four ounces; well mixed.

From One Thousand Secrets of Wise and Rich Men Revealed by Bogardus, C. A.

"By André Maggimore, a good man and true, who was employed in the Hotel de Saltpetre, in the Ruee Saleratus," replied Mr. Wittleworth, triumphantly.

From Make or Break or, The Rich Man's Daughter by Optic, Oliver