Definition

A type of chemical compound that contains sulfur and oxygen, often used as a preservative in food and beverages.

Example

The wine was treated with sulphite to prevent spoilage.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a sulphite allergy?

Yeah, I think it's related to certain foods and drinks, right?

Exactly! Some people react badly to sulphite preservatives in wine.

I guess that's why some wines say 'no added sulphites' on the label.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Sulphite** → It is formed from "sulphur" (from Latin *sulphur*, meaning brimstone or sulfur) and "-ite" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote a salt or ester of an acid). The word "sulphite" refers to a salt or ester derived from sulfurous acid.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sulphur' as the base element, and remember that 'sulphite' is a compound related to it, specifically a salt or ester derived from sulfur.

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