corrosive

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   able to destroy or damage a material gradually through chemical action

   The technicians wore face shields while handling the corrosive liquid.

2. 2
   adj

   gradually damaging or undermining beliefs, relationships, institutions, or well-being

   Persistent mistrust had a corrosive effect on the partnership.

3. 3
   noun

   a substance capable of seriously damaging tissue or other material on contact

   The cabinet is designed to store acids and other corrosives safely.

Through Old French corrosif from Medieval Latin corrosivus, based on Latin corrodere ("to gnaw away"), from com- (intensive) + rodere ("to gnaw"). The figurative sense preserves the idea of slow, destructive eating away.

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