corrosive

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 ]