/ kəˈrəʊd; NAmE kəˈroʊd/ verb
to destroy sth slowly, especially by chemical action; to be destroyed in this way :
[ vn ]
Acid corrodes metal.
( figurative )
Corruption corrodes public confidence in a political system.
[ v ]
The copper pipework has corroded in places.
► cor·ro·sion / kəˈrəʊʒn; NAmE -ˈroʊ-/ noun [ U ]:
Look for signs of corrosion.
Clean off any corrosion before applying the paint.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin corrodere , from cor- (expressing intensive force) + rodere gnaw.