Saltpeter: meaning, definitions and examples
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saltpeter
[ sɔːltˈpiːtər ]
chemical compound
Saltpeter, also known as potassium nitrate, is a chemical compound with the formula KNO₃. It is commonly used in fertilizers, food preservation, and fireworks. Historically, it played a significant role in the production of gunpowder. Saltpeter occurs naturally in mineral deposits and can also be produced synthetically. Its hygroscopic properties allow it to absorb moisture from the air, making it useful in various applications.
Synonyms
nitrate of potash, potassium nitrate.
Examples of usage
- Saltpeter is often used in preserving meats.
- The production of gunpowder requires a significant amount of saltpeter.
- Farmers apply saltpeter to enhance crop yield.
- In the lab, researchers use saltpeter for various chemical experiments.
Translations
Translations of the word "saltpeter" in other languages:
🇵🇹 salitre
🇮🇳 नाइट्रेट
🇩🇪 Salpeter
🇮🇩 garam nitrat
🇺🇦 соль поташу
🇵🇱 saletra
🇯🇵 硝石
🇫🇷 salpêtre
🇪🇸 salitre
🇹🇷 tuz ruhu
🇰🇷 질산칼륨
🇸🇦 نترات البوتاسيوم
🇨🇿 dusičnan draselný
🇸🇰 dusičnan draselný
🇨🇳 硝石
🇸🇮 salitra
🇮🇸 saltnítr
🇰🇿 нитрат
🇬🇪 ნიტრატი
🇦🇿 nitrat
🇲🇽 salitre
Etymology
The term 'saltpeter' originates from the Middle English 'saltpetre', which itself is derived from the Old French 'salpêtre', combining 'sal' (salt) and 'pêtre' (stone, from the Latin 'petra'). The name reflects the compound's often-found crystalline form resembling salt and its historical use in various applications, especially in agriculture and warfare. Saltpeter has been crucial to multiple civilizations throughout history, most notably for its use in gunpowder production, which revolutionized warfare in the 9th century when it was first utilized in China. Its chemical properties were studied extensively during the Age of Enlightenment, leading to numerous applications that influenced agriculture, food preservation, and the development of explosives.