poudrette

[ poo-dret ]

noun

1. a fertilizer made from dried night soil mixed with other substances, as gypsum and charcoal.

Word History and Origins

Origin of poudrette¹

1830–40; < French, equivalent to poudre powder ¹ + -ette -ette

Example Sentences

Poudrette, pōō-dret′, n. manure of dried night-soil, charcoal, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

In Paris, the porters have all become concierges; just as the shops have become magasins; the wine shops, maisons de commerce; the hair dressers' establishments, salons where one is rejuvenated; the groceries, d�p�ts for colonial produce; the bakers, pastry cooks; the marchands de confection, tailors; the book shops, cabinets de lecture; the caf�s, restaurants; soup houses, traiteurs; indeed, even those gentry who haul refuse at night have assumed the title of employ�s � la poudrette.

From Project Gutenberg

After being, by slow desiccation by drying in the air and grinding, transformed into a fertilizer called poudrette, they are subjected to various chemical processes; there is extracted from them sulphate of ammonia, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

All that is necessary to effect this wonderful change in night soil, and to turn it from its disagreeable character to one entirely inoffensive, is to mix with it a little charcoal dust, prepared muck, or any other good absorbent—thus making what is called poudrette.

From Project Gutenberg

At that time good decayed cow dung or poudrette should be spread one inch deep, and any close growing crop which is not valuable, such as sunn, tag, chanamoo, or Crotolaria juncea, should be sown to keep down weeds and encourage the formation of nitric acid in the soil, which has been proved to be effected to a greater extent under a crop than on bare soil.

From Project Gutenberg