nitrate

Etymology

From French nitrate.

noun

1. (chemistry) Any salt or ester of nitric acid.
   Nitrates are most commonly used in fertilizers, especially sodium and potassium nitrates. Numerous water wells have had to be abandoned because of the lack of a way to deal with the problem. 1992-03-10, “Removal of Nitrates”, in The New York Times, →ISSN
   The underground water which feeds Britain's springs and rivers and provides a third of its drinking water is becoming seriously polluted with nitrates, causing a threat to wildlife and landing consumers with a big purification bill. 2003-08-11, Paul Brown, “Nitrate pollution raises water bills”, in The Guardian
   The pinkness of bacon – or cooked ham, or salami – is a sign that it has been treated with chemicals, more specifically with nitrates and nitrites. 2018-03-01, Bee Wilson, “Yes, bacon really is killing us”, in The Guardian

verb

1. To treat, or react, with nitric acid or a nitrate