Corrode

Part of speech: verb (v.)

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.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

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.

Synonyms: canker; gnaw; rust; waste; wear away.