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corrode

 - 4 dictionary results

cor⋅rode

  [kuh-rohd] verb, -rod⋅ed, -rod⋅ing.
Use corrode in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to eat or wear away gradually as if by gnawing, esp. by chemical action.
2. to impair; deteriorate: Jealousy corroded his character.
–verb (used without object)
3. to become corroded.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME (< MF) < L corrōdere to gnaw to pieces, equiv. to cor- cor- + rōdere to gnaw; akin to rodent

Related forms:
cor⋅rod⋅ent, noun
cor⋅rod⋅er, noun
cor⋅rod⋅i⋅ble, adjective
cor⋅rod⋅i⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To corrode
cor·rode   (kə-rōd')   
v.   cor·rod·ed, cor·rod·ing, cor·rodes

v.   tr.

  1. To destroy a metal or alloy gradually, especially by oxidation or chemical action: acid corroding metal.

  2. To impair steadily; deteriorate: "Doubt and mistrust could creep into our lives, corroding personal and professional relationships" (Philip Taubman).

v.   intr.
To be eaten or worn away.

[Middle English corroden, from Latin corrōdere, to gnaw away : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + rōdere, to gnaw; see rēd- in Indo-European roots.]
cor·rod'i·ble, cor·ro'si·ble (-rō'sə-bəl) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

corrode 
c.1400, from O.Fr. corroder, from L. corrodere "to gnaw to bits," from com- intensive prefix + rodere "to gnaw" (see rodent).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: cor·rode
Pronunciation: k&-'rOd
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: cor·rod·ed; cor·rod·ing
transitive senses
: to eat away by degrees as if by gnawing; especially : to wear away gradually usually by chemical action corrode intransitivesenses
: to undergo corrosion
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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