Cor*rode" (k?r-r?d") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Corroded; p. pr. & vb. n. Corroding.] [L. corrodere, -rosum; cor + rodere to gnaw: cf. F. corroder. See Rodent.]
1.
To eat away by degrees; to wear away or diminish by gradually separating or destroying small particles of, as by action of a strong acid or a caustic alkali.
Aqua fortis corroding copper . . . is wont to reduce it to a green-blue solution.
Boyle.
2.
To consume; to wear away; to prey upon; to impair.
© Webster 1913.
Cor*rode", v. i.
To have corrosive action; to be subject to corrosion.
Corroding lead, lead sufficiently pure to be used in making white lead by a process of corroding.
Syn. -- To canker; gnaw; rust; waste; wear away.
© Webster 1913.