nitre
Gunpowder's crystalline component
Nitre is the British spelling of niter—potassium nitrate, a crystalline salt used historically in gunpowder, fertilizers, and food preservation.
The word appears in older texts and biblical translations: the nitre of the walls.
Saltpetre is a synonym.
American English uses niter.
Potassium nitrate compound
- blackpowderEarly explosive propellant
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- propellantSubstance creating thrust
- charcoalBurned wood residue
sulfur · corning · musket · cannon · flintlock · cartridge · ignition · combustion
Ordered-atom solid
- efflorescenceCrystalline surface deposit
- depositPlace for safekeeping
- caveUnderground hollow in rock
- karstEroded soluble rock terrain
stalactite · calcite · geology · vein · stratum · lode · ore · sedimentary
Restoring health or preserving
- saltingApplying sodium chloride
- corned beefBrined, cured brisket
- biltongCured dried meat snack
- picklingAcid preservation process
brining · meat · pork · bacon · ham · charcuterie · pink salt · curing salt
Nineteenth element, symbol K
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
- soilGround matter for planting
- cropCultivated agricultural plants
- yieldProduce or relinquish
enrichment · planting · harvest · nutrients · growth · nourishment · compost · manure
Student of fundamental questions
- transmutationComplete change of form
- dissolutionBreaking up completely
- vitriolBitter, scathing criticism
- sublimationSolid to gas directly
calcination · elixir · retort · alembic · tincture · reagent · spiritus · sal
saltpeter
Potassium nitrate compound
- blackpowderEarly explosive propellant
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- propellantSubstance creating thrust
charcoal · sulfur · corning · musket · cannon · flintlock · cartridge · ignition · combustion · pyrotechnics
crystal
Ordered-atom solid
- efflorescenceCrystalline surface deposit
- depositPlace for safekeeping
- caveUnderground hollow in rock
karst · stalactite · calcite · geology · vein · stratum · lode · ore · sedimentary · gypsum
curing
Restoring health or preserving
- saltingApplying sodium chloride
- corned beefBrined, cured brisket
- biltongCured dried meat snack
pickling · brining · meat · pork · bacon · ham · charcuterie · pink salt · curing salt · mummification
potassium
Nineteenth element, symbol K
- agricultureCultivation of land, livestock
- soilGround matter for planting
- cropCultivated agricultural plants
yield · enrichment · planting · harvest · nutrients · growth · nourishment · compost · manure · horticulture
philosopher
Student of fundamental questions
- transmutationComplete change of form
- dissolutionBreaking up completely
- vitriolBitter, scathing criticism
sublimation · calcination · elixir · retort · alembic · tincture · reagent · spiritus · sal · lapidary
nitrereducing agent
Electron-donating chemical species
fuel · charcoal · combustible
- nitrogen fertilizerNutrient compound for crops
- liquid nitrogenCryogenic form of air's main component
- nitrogen cycleBiogeochemical element circulation
- nitrous oxideAnesthetic inhalant causing euphoria
- nitrogen base
- ammonium nitrateNitrogen-rich agricultural compound
nitroglycerin, nitrogen, nitrate, nitro, nitrous, nitrile, nitrite, nitric, nitriles