| Saltpeter (saltpeter) |
|---|
| n. | , ((?)) |
|---|
| Salt`pe"ter |
| [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.
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In celebration of Noah Webster's Birthday (October 16, 2009), we have prepared an updated website. 