Chemical compounds containing nitrogen that are used in fertilizers, explosives, and food preservation, or occur naturally in soil and water.
From 'nitre' (potassium nitrate saltpeter) plus the chemical suffix '-ate'. The word comes from French, ultimately from Arabic 'qali' (plant ashes used to make saltpeter).
Nitrates are in your hot dogs and bacon to keep them from rotting, but they're also the reason plants can grow—and explosives work—making them one of chemistry's most useful and dangerous compounds!
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