saltpeter

or salt·pe·tre

[ sawlt-pee-ter ]

noun

1. the form of potassium nitrate, KNO 3 , that occurs naturally, used in the manufacture of fireworks, fluxes, gunpowder, etc.; niter.
2. Chile saltpeter.

saltpeter

/ sôlt′pē′tər /

1. See potassium nitrate

Word History and Origins

Origin of saltpeter¹

1275–1325; earlier salt peter; replacing Middle English sal peter, salpetre < Medieval Latin salpetrē, for Latin sal petrae salt of rock, so called because it commonly encrusts stones

Example Sentences

Tultepec was one of the first places that began to produce gunpowder in Mexico during the colonial period, because of the town’s abundant supply of saltpeter, a key ingredient.

From Seattle Times

He was perhaps the world’s leading expert on the history of mining for saltpeter, a primary ingredient in gunpowder, which in the 19th century was often harvested from caves.

From New York Times

Officials loyal to the government in Moscow said the strike, in Nova Kakhovka, instead hit a warehouse containing saltpeter — sometimes used to make fertilizer or gunpowder — resulting in a large explosion that Russia said had damaged residential buildings, a hospital, a market and a humanitarian aid center.

From New York Times

Now, I don’t want to leave the impression that a Volkswagen is the automotive equivalent of a cold shower, motorized saltpeter, designed to quash passion.

From Washington Post

The saltpeter kettles, repurposed as garden torches, were filled with fuel and lit, and their light flickered on an array of classical statuary, columns, urns and the like.

From Washington Post

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