saltpetre en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sḗh₂l Proto-Italic *sāls Latin sāl Pre-Greekder.? Ancient Greek πέτρᾱ (pétrā)bor. Latin petrae Medieval Latin sāl petrae Old French salpetrebor. Middle English saltpetre English saltpetre From Middle English saltpetre, alteration of Old French salpetre, from Medieval Latin sāl petrae (“salt of the rock”), named so being found as an incrustation. Alteration of the first element is from folk-etymological association with salt (which is, nevertheless, cognate to Latin sāl).
Meanings
- (qualifier:originally, uncountable, usually) Potassium nitrate.
- (uncommon, uncountable, usually) Sodium nitrate.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| saltpetres | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| saltpeter | US, alternative | lexicographic |
Deriveds
Norway salpetre · ? peter · Chile saltpetre · Chilean saltpetre
Synonyms
nitre (potassium nitrate) · soda nitre (sodium nitrate) · niter (potassium nitrate) · Chile saltpeter (sodium nitrate) · nitrate of potash (potassium nitrate) · Chile saltpetre (sodium nitrate) · caliche (sodium nitrate) · potassium nitrate (potassium nitrate) · Chilean saltpeter (potassium nitrate) · sodium nitrate (sodium nitrate) · Chilean saltpetre (potassium nitrate) · soda niter (sodium nitrate)