corrode Hear it!

corrode Definition

cor·rode (kə rōd′)

transitive verb -·rod′ed, -·rod′·ing

  1. to eat into or wear away gradually, as by rusting or by the action of chemicals
  2. to work upon insidiously and cause to deteriorate a heart corroded by bitterness

Etymology: ME corroden < OFr corroder < L corrodere, to gnaw to pieces < com-, intens. + rodere, to gnaw: see rat

intransitive verb

to become corroded

corrode Related Forms

cor·rod′·ible adjective

corrode Synonyms

corrode

v.

  1. To destroy

    erode, gnaw, consume, eat away; see destroy 1.

  2. To deteriorate

    rust, rot, degenerate, deteriorate; see decay, rust.

corrode Usage Examples

Object

  • metal: Inside there was a fish among corroded metal - was this the last supper in the house, then abandoned?
  • pipe: A corroded steam heating pipe off 257 Squadron, part of which was later given to Dave Harris.
  • iron: Inside the vessel was found a small amount of corroded iron and bronze objects, and a single strip of leather.
  • steel: In the Engine Room work on removing rust and corroded steel under the aft end of the starboard engine began.
  • part: Many of the brass elements have been recently fabricated to replace the original corroded iron parts.
  • area: Only severely corroded areas are replaced with new metal.

Adjective complement

due: The vessel is heavily corroded due to bronze disease.

Modifying Another Word

  • preferentially: Galvanized coatings corrode preferentially to steel, providing sacrificial or cathodic protection to small areas of steel exposed through damage to the coating.
  • excessively: Excessively corroded metal, or metal treated with filler, emits a duller sound than does unaffected metal.
  • badly: Any plug or socket with badly corroded screws should be replaced.
  • severely: Only severely corroded areas are replaced with new metal.
  • heavily: The vessel is heavily corroded due to bronze disease.
  • rapidly: In a damp climate, it will corrode more rapidly.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • through: Repairs completed to main air feed pipe, which had corroded through.
  • away: Eventually the zinc coating will corrode away exposing the underlying steel.

Used with why or when

when: Regularly check lifejacket inflation cylinders, which can corrode when left in lockers in a salt water environment.

Infinitive complement

form: Eventually the metal is oxidized, or corroded to form its ore.

Preposition: in

  • preference: For example, the heads and points of steel nails will corrode in preference to the shanks because they have been worked.
  • presence: The steel then corrodes in the presence of the oxygen and water available in the concrete pores.

Preposition: by

acid: Certain types of coastal material, such as chalk are slowly corroded by acids dissolved in the sea water.