saltpetre

/ˈsɔːltˌpɛtrə/

Definitions

1. noun

a colourless crystalline or granular form of potassium nitrate, often used as a source of nitrate, especially in the manufacture of gunpowder.

“The alchemist carefully extracted saltpetre from the mixture and purified it for use in the gunpowder.”

Synonyms

  • nitre
  • potassium nitrate

Antonyms

  • nitric acid
  • oxide