Definitions for: Corrosive

[n] a substance having the tendency to cause corrosion (such a strong acids or alkali)
[adj] of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action

Webster (1913) Definition: Cor*ro"sive (k?r-r?"s?v), a. [Cf. F. corrosif.]
1. Eating away; having the power of gradually wearing,
changing, or destroying the texture or substance of a
body; as, the corrosive action of an acid. ``Corrosive
liquors.'' --Grew. ``Corrosive famine.'' --Thomson.

2. Having the quality of fretting or vexing.

Care is no cure, but corrosive. --Shak.

Corrosive sublimate (Chem.), mercuric chloride, HgCl2; so
called because obtained by sublimation, and because of its
harsh irritating action on the body tissue. Usually it is
in the form of a heavy, transparent, crystalline
substance, easily soluble, and of an acrid, burning taste.
It is a virulent poison, a powerful antiseptic, and an
excellent antisyphilitic; called also {mercuric
bichloride}. It is to be carefully distinguished from
calomel, the mild chloride of mercury.

Cor*ro"sive, n.
1. That which has the quality of eating or wearing away
gradually.

[Corrosives] act either directly, by chemically
destroying the part, or indirectly by causing
inflammation and gangrene. --Dunglison.

2. That which has the power of fretting or irritating.

Such speeches . . . are grievous corrosives.
--Hooker.
-- Cor*ro"sive*ly, adv. -- Cor*ro"sive*ness, n.

Synonyms: caustic, destructive, erosive, vitriolic

See Also: chemical compound, compound

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