saltpetre
/ˌsɔltˈpitər/
noun
- Alternative spelling of saltpeter; a white chemical compound (potassium nitrate) used in gunpowder, fireworks, and food preservation.
- In British English, saltpetre is the common spelling for the same substance.
- Saltpetre was a crucial export for many countries in the 19th century.
- The old recipe called for a pinch of saltpetre to preserve the ham.
Synonyms