HgCl2

Corrosive Cor*ro"sive (k?r-r?"s?v), a. [Cf. F. corrosif.] 1. Eating away; having the power of gradually wearing, changing, or destroying the texture or substance of a body; as, the corrosive action of an acid. ``Corrosive liquors.'' --Grew. ``Corrosive famine.'' --Thomson. [1913 Webster]

2. Having the quality of fretting or vexing. [1913 Webster]

Care is no cure, but corrosive. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{Corrosive sublimate} (Chem.), mercuric chloride, {HgCl2}; so called because obtained by sublimation, and because of its harsh irritating action on the body tissue. Usually it is in the form of a heavy, transparent, crystalline substance, easily soluble, and of an acrid, burning taste. It is a virulent poison, a powerful antiseptic, and an excellent antisyphilitic; called also {mercuric bichloride}. It is to be carefully distinguished from calomel, the mild chloride of mercury. [1913 Webster]