nitrate
UK: ˈnaɪtreɪt | US: ˈnaɪtreɪt
n. a salt or ester of nitric acid, commonly used in fertilizers and explosives
vt. to treat or combine with nitric acid or a nitrate
The word "nitrate" originates from the French "nitrate," derived from "nitre" (a term for potassium nitrate or saltpeter) + the suffix "-ate," used in chemistry to denote salts or esters of acids. "Nitre" itself traces back to Greek "nitron," borrowed from Egyptian "ntry" (native soda). The suffix "-ate" comes from Latin "-atus," indicating a relationship to the parent acid (here, nitric acid). The term reflects the compound's nitrogenous base and its chemical function.
Farmers often use nitrate fertilizers to improve crop yields.
The lab technician will nitrate the sample for further analysis.
Excessive nitrate levels in water can harm aquatic ecosystems.
Sodium nitrate is a common food preservative.
The explosion was caused by unstable nitrate compounds.