Definition of Saltpiter
{ Salt`pe"ter, Salt`pe"tre }, (&?;),
n. [F. salpêtre, 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.
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.
{ Salt`pe"ter, Salt`pe"tre }, (&?;),
n. [F. salpêtre, 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.
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.
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
- US spelling of saltpetre.
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia
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