An'a-tron, n.

n. [Fr. anatron, natron, Sp. anatron, natron, Ar. al-natrūn, (al-nitrān), from Gr. νίτρον, natron, a mineral alkali, our potassa, or soda, or both (not our niter, i. e., saltpeter), Lat. nitrum, N. Lat. natrum. This word, though of Greek origin, was introduced in this form into Europe by the Arabs, the l of the article al being assimilated by them before n, as before all letters called solar.

1. Spume, or glass-gall; a scum which rises upon melted glass, in the furnace, and, when taken off, becomes liquid in the air, and then hardens into common salt.
2. The salt which collects on the walls of vaults; saltpeter. Coxe. Johnson.