Definition of "saltpetre" [saltpetre]

• Potassium nitrate. (noun)
• Sodium nitrate. (noun)

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• "Under normal circumstances the vast majority of this saltpetre is used for fertilizer purposes."
• "Now, since saltpetre is among the most important of these substances, particularly in those countries which possess neither large mineral coal deposits nor cheap hydro-electric power, the artificial production of ammonia and nitric acid has reached an unprecedented degree of importance."
• "Mention of this substance is made in (Proverbs 25: 20) -- "and as vinegar upon nitre" -- and in (Jeremiah 2: 26) The article denoted is not that which we now understand by the term nitre i.e. nitrate of Potassa -- "saltpetre" -- but the nitrum of the Latins and the natron or native carbonate of soda of modern chemistry."