nitrate

(nī′trāt′)

noun

1. a salt of nitric acid containing the monovalent, negative radical NO
2. an uncharged ester of this acid
potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate, used as a fertilizer

Origin: Fr < MFr nitre, niter

transitive verb nitrated, nitrating

to treat or combine with nitric acid or a nitrate; esp., to make into a nitrate

See nitrate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The univalent radical NO₃ or a compound containing it, as a salt or an ester of nitric acid.
Fertilizer consisting of sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate.

transitive verb ni·trat·ed, ni·trat·ing, ni·trates

To treat with nitric acid or a nitrate, usually to change (an organic compound) into a nitrate.

Related Forms: