corrosive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a substance having the tendency to cause corrosion (such a strong acids or alkali)
  2. adjective satellite of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
    erosive; vitriolic; mordant; caustic.
  3. adjective satellite spitefully sarcastic
    • corrosive cristism

WordNet

Cor*ro"sive adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. corrosif.
Definitions
  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.
Cor*ro"sive noun
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913