Definition of SALTPETRE

saltpetre

Plural: saltpetres

Noun

  • (KNO3) used especially as a fertilizer and explosive
  • Potassium nitrate.
  • Sodium nitrate.

Verb

  • To treat with saltpetre.

Origin / Etymology

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).

Synonyms

caliche, Chile saltpeter, Chile saltpetre, Chilean saltpeter, Chilean saltpetre, niter, nitrate of potash, nitre, potassium nitrate, saltpeter, soda niter, soda nitre, sodium nitrate

Scrabble Score: 11

saltpetre is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
saltpetre is not valid in Scrabble (MW) Merriam-Webster Dictionary
saltpetre is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

saltpetre is a valid Words With Friends word