I. kəˈrōs]iv, ]ēv also -ōz] or ]əv; archaic ˈkȯrə- adjective
Etymology: Middle English corosif, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French corrosif, from Medieval Latin corrosivus, from Latin corrosus + -ivus -ive
: having the power to corrode : corroding: as
a. : bringing about or causing chemical corrosion
a corrosive alkali
a corrosive dampness
b. : weakening and destroying by a gradual process of breaking down or wearing away
that most corrosive instrument of disintegration the European world has yet known: class warfare — Sir Thomas Beecham
c. : having the power to wound the feelings : sarcastic
corrosive satire
: tending to cut deeply or affect powerfully and usually unfavorably : biting
Veblen's corrosive and coruscating observations on society — C.E.Lindblom
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English corosif, probably from corosif, adjective
1. : a substance that corrodes : caustic
2. : something that weakens or destroys
criminal corrosives against … society — Marjorie Grene