Origin: Latin suffix -ate
Nitrate has 4 different meanings across 2 categories:
any compound containing the nitrate group (such as a salt or ester of nitric acid)
"The soil test revealed dangerously high levels of nitrate, which was causing the nearby river to lose its oxygen supply."
Any salt or ester of nitric acid.
"The gardener added a solution containing potassium nitrate to boost the growth of her tomato plants."
treat with nitric acid, so as to change an organic compound into a nitrate
"nitroglycerin is obtained by nitrating glycerol"
To treat, or react, with nitric acid or a nitrate
"The old copper pipes began to corrode after being exposed to the concentrated nitrate solution in the laboratory."