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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having the quality of fretting or vexing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Care is no cure, but corrosive. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. That which has the quality of eating or wearing away gradually. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Corrosives ] act either directly, by chemically destroying the part, or indirectly by causing inflammation and gangrene. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which has the power of fretting or irritating. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such speeches . . . are grievous corrosives. Hooker.

-- Cor*ro"sive*ly, adv. -- Cor*ro"sive*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]