saltpeter

or salt·pe·tre

[ sawlt-pee-ter ]

/ ˌsɔltˈpi tər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR saltpeter ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the form of potassium nitrate, KNO3, that occurs naturally, used in the manufacture of fireworks, fluxes, gunpowder, etc.; niter.

Chile saltpeter.

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transliterate

to remove or destroy all traces of.

to change (letters, words, etc.), into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language.

to explain in terms that can be more easily understood.

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Origin of saltpeter

1275–1325; earlier salt peter; replacing Middle English sal peter, salpetre < Medieval Latin salpetrē, for Latin sal petrae salt of rock, so called because it commonly encrusts stones

Words nearby saltpeter

saltless, saltness, salto, salton sea, saltpan, saltpeter, saltpetre, salts, saltus, saltwater, saltwater taffy

Example sentences from the Web for saltpeter

Early in the Civil War a large amount of saltpeter was manufactured here.
Archeological Investigations|Gerard Fowke
Saltpeter, or nitrate of potash, taken in moderate quantities, are very good remedies.
Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark Corners|B.G. Jefferis
Here is a spot weakened by constant sun and sprinkling and eaten by saltpeter rot.
The Little Clay Cart|(Attributed To) King Shudraka
About a fluid ounce of a rather dirty-looking solution of saltpeter resulted, to which a little sugar was added.
Adrift in the Ice-Fields|Charles W. Hall

Second, dissolved in water at the rate of two ounces of saltpeter to eight gallons of water, and sprinkled over the beds.
Mushrooms: how to grow them|William Falconer

Scientific definitions for saltpeter

saltpeter

[ sôlt′pē′tər ]

See potassium nitrate.

saltpeter

or salt·pe·tre

noun

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Origin of saltpeter

Words nearby saltpeter

Words related to saltpeter

Example sentences from the Web for saltpeter

Scientific definitions for saltpeter