saltpeter etymology

Etymology:

The word "saltpeter" comes from the Middle French "salpêtre" (12th century), which is in turn derived from two Latin words:

  • "sal" (salt)
  • "petra" (rock)

Meaning:

Saltpeter is a naturally occurring mineral with the chemical formula KNO₃ (potassium nitrate). It is also known as nitre, saltpetre, or nitrate of potash. It is a white or colorless, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water.

Origin:

Saltpeter is formed by the bacterial decomposition of organic matter in the presence of nitrogen. It can be found in natural deposits, such as caves and animal droppings, or it can be produced artificially by heating potassium carbonate with nitric acid.

Uses:

Historically, saltpeter was used as a fertilizer and as a gunpowder ingredient. Today, it is still used in some fertilizers, but its primary use is in the production of fireworks, matches, and other pyrotechnic devices.

saltpeter relate terms

  • petrous

    Etymology Latin petrosus rocky Greek petros stone Meaning Resembling

  • saltpetre

    Etymology Middle English saltpetre Old French salpetre salpetre Medieval Latin sal

  • saltpeter

    Etymology The word saltpeter comes from the Middle French salpêtre 12th century

  • hali

    Etymology From Turkish halı rug Meaning A woven fabric with thick nap used

  • halide

    Etymology Greek hals salt eidos form Meaning A compound of one or more

  • halieutic

    Etymology The word halieutic is derived from the Ancient Greek word halieutikos whic

  • halite

    Etymology of Halite Origin Greek Meaning Salt stone Meaning and Origin of Halite H

  • halo

    Etymology Halo originates from the Greek word ἅλως halōs meaning threshing flo

  • halogen

    Etymology The word halogen comes from the Greek words hals meaning salt and gene

  • salad

    Etymology The word salad originates from the Old French word salade which in turn co

  • salami

    Etymology French salami Italian salame Medieval Latin salamen Latin sal salt Gree

  • salary

    Etymology The word salary comes from the Latin word salarium which originally refer

  • saline

    Etymology The word saline comes from the Latin word salinus which means salty The

  • salmagundi

    Etymology of Salmagundi The word salmagundi has a complex etymology with roots in se

  • salsa

    Etymology Salsa is a Spanish word derived from the Latin word salsa meaning salty o

  • salsify

    Etymology Middle English salsifye from Old French salsifiche from Medieval Latin

  • salt

    Etymology Old English sealt Proto Germanic saltaz Proto Indo European sal salty

  • salt cellar

    Etymology The term salt cellar is derived from the Old French phrase salier couvert

  • saltpeter

    Etymology The word saltpeter comes from the Middle French salpêtre 12th century

  • sauce

    Etymology of Sauce The word sauce originates from the Old French word sauce which

  • sausage

    Etymology The word sausage comes from the Latin word salsus which means salted T

  • silt

    Etymology The word silt comes from the Middle English word sylt which in turn may d

  • souse

    Etymology The word souse has multiple etymological origins French sausse meaning

  • nitre

    Etymology Old French nitre Latin nitrum Greek νίτρον nitron Meaning A n

  • inert

    Etymology and Meaning The word inert comes from the Latin word iners which means i

  • salt

    Etymology Old English sealt Proto Germanic saltaz Proto Indo European sal salty

  • Eucharist

    Etymology The word Eucharist is derived from the Greek word εὐχαριστία e

  • chocolate

    Etymology The word chocolate comes from the Nahuatl Aztec word xocolātl which mea

  • potential

    Etymology The term etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true meanin

  • sedulous

    Etymology Latin sedulus meaning diligent assiduous watchful Indo European sed m

  • measure

    Etymology Measure derives from Old French mesure which ultimately originated from th