Chile saltpeter

noun

ˈchi-lē- How to pronounce Chile saltpeter (audio)
ˈchē-(ˌ)lā-
: sodium nitrate especially occurring naturally (as in caliche)

Word History

Etymology

Chile, South America

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Chile saltpeter was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near Chile saltpeter

Cite this Entry

“Chile saltpeter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chile%20saltpeter. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

Chile saltpeter

noun
: sodium nitrate especially occurring naturally (as in caliche)

called also Chile niter

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!