Cor-rōde′, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. CORRODED; p. pr. & vb. n. CORRODING.] [Lat. corrodere, from con and rodere, to gnaw; Fr. & Pr. corroder, It. corrodere, Sp. & Pg. corroer.]
Sense 1. To eat away by degrees; to wear away or diminish by gradually separating small particles from a body, in the manner an animal gnaws a substance.
Aqua fortis corroding copper . . . is wont to reduce it to a green-blue color. Boyle.
Sense 2. To consume or wear away by degrees; to prey upon; to impair.
Should jealousy its venom once diffuse, Corroding every thought, and blasting all Love’s paradise. Thomson.
Synonyms—To canker; gnaw; rust; waste; wear away.