A Chymical Dictionary

Sal petre

Salts solvents and liquid preparations · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. A salt described through cold air and growth on stone.

In the book. Sal nitrum follows with a different description: salt boiled from earth, particularly rich earth associated with stables or excrement.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 41; facsimile PDF page 369.

Historical Definition

Sal petre is that which grows in cold places upon stones, congealed by the cold air.

Meaning

The compiler defines this material by its place and an account of its formation. Cold air is said to congeal it. The entry therefore preserves a natural explanation as well as a name.

Use in the Book

Sal nitrum follows with a different description: salt boiled from earth, particularly rich earth associated with stables or excrement. The two entries should both remain visible when tracing the dictionary’s distinctions.

Places to Read

Sal nitrum. A salt obtained from earth associated with organic deposits.

Sal practicum. A named mixture of saltpetre and sal ammoniac.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 41; facsimile PDF page 369 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary (1650), s.v. Sal petre; 1650 facsimile PDF p. 369; compare Sal nitrum, Sal practicum

See also. Sal nitrum; Sal practicum