saleratus

3 definitions found

saleratus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Saleratus \Sal`e*ra"tus\, n. [NL. sal a["e]ratus; -- so called
     because it is a source of fixed air (carbon dioxide). See
     Sal, and and Aerated.] (Old Chem.)
     Aerated salt; a white crystalline substance having an
     alkaline taste and reaction, consisting of sodium bicarbonate
     (see under Sodium.) It is largely used in cooking, with
     sour milk (lactic acid) or cream of tartar as a substitute
     for yeast. It is also an ingredient of most baking powders,
     and is used in the preparation of effervescing drinks.
     [1913 Webster]

  Sodium bicarbonate \Sodium bicarbonate\,
     a white crystalline substance, HNaCO3, with a slight
     alkaline taste resembling that of sodium carbonate. It is
     found in many mineral springs and also produced
     artificially,. It is used in cookery, in baking powders, and
     as a source of carbonic acid gas (carbon dioxide) for soda
     water. Called also baking soda, cooking soda,
     bicarbonate of soda, bicarb, saleratus, and
     technically, acid sodium carbonate, sodium acid carbonate
     , primary sodium carbonate, sodium dicarbonate,
     etc.
     [1913 Webster]

saleratus - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  saleratus
      n 1: a white soluble compound (NaHCO3) used in effervescent
           drinks and in baking powders and as an antacid [syn:
           bicarbonate of soda, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium bicarbonate
           , baking soda, saleratus]