Hypertext Webster Gateway: "saleratus"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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 {A["e]rated}.] (Old Chem.)
A["e]rated 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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Sodium \So"di*um\, n. [NL., fr.E. soda.] (Chem.)
A common metallic element of the alkali group, in nature
always occuring combined, as in common salt, in albite, etc.
It is isolated as a soft, waxy, white, unstable metal, so
readily oxidized that it combines violently with water, and
to be preserved must be kept under petroleum or some similar
liquid. Sodium is used combined in many salts, in the free
state as a reducer, and as a means of obtaining other metals
(as magnesium and aluminium) is an important commercial
product. Symbol Na (Natrium). Atomic weight 23. Specific
gravity 0.97.

{Sodium amalgam}, an alloy of sodium and mercury, usually
produced as a gray metallic crystalline substance, which
is used as a reducing agent, and otherwise.

{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 {cooking
soda}, {saleratus}, and technically, {acid sodium
carbonate}, {primary sodium carbonate}, {sodium
dicarbonate}, etc.

{Sodium carbonate}, a white crystalline substance,
{Na2CO3.10H2O}, having a cooling alkaline taste, found in
the ashes of many plants, and produced artifically in
large quantities from common salt. It is used in making
soap, glass, paper, etc., and as alkaline agent in many
chemical industries. Called also {sal soda}, {washing
soda}, or {soda}. Cf. {Sodium bicarbonate}, above and
{Trona}.

{Sodium chloride}, common, or table, salt, {NaCl}.

{Sodium hydroxide}, a white opaque brittle solid, {NaOH},
having a fibrous structure, produced by the action of
quicklime, or of calcium hydrate (milk of lime), on sodium
carbonate. It is a strong alkali, and is used in the
manufacture of soap, in making wood pulp for paper, etc.
Called also {sodium hydrate}, and {caustic soda}. By
extension, a solution of sodium hydroxide.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

saleratus
n : a white soluble compound used in effervescent drinks and in
baking powders and as an antacid [syn: {bicarbonate of
soda}, {sodium hydrogencarbonate}, {sodium bicarbonate},
{baking soda}]

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