Part 578

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.

Cor*ro"sive, n. 1. That which has the quality of eating or wearing away gradually.

2. That which has the power of fretting or irritating.

Such speeches . . . are grievous corrosives. Hooker.

-- Cor*ro"sive*ly, adv. -- Cor*ro"sive*ness, n.

Cor*ro"val (kr-r?"val), n. A dark brown substance of vegetable origin, allied to curare, and used by the natives of New Granada as an arrow poison.

Cor*ro"va*line (-v?-l?n or -l?n), n. (Chem.) A poisonous alkaloid extracted from corroval, and characterized by its immediate action in paralyzing the heart.

Cor"ru*gant (k?r"r?-gant), a. [L. corrugans, p. pr. See Corrugate.] Having the power of contracting into wrinkles. Johnson.

Cor"ru*gate (k?r"r?-g?t), a. [L. corrugatus, p. p. of corrugare; cor-+ rugare to wrinkle, ruga wrinkle; of uncertain origin.] Wrinkled; crumpled; furrowed; contracted into ridges and furrows.

Cor"ru*gate (-g?t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Corrugated (-g?`t?d); p. pr. & vb. n. Corrugating (-g?`t?ng).] To form or shape into wrinkles or folds, or alternate ridges and grooves, as by drawing, contraction, pressure, bending, or otherwise; to wrinkle; to purse up; as, to corrugate plates of iron; to corrugate the forehead.

Corrugated iron, sheet iron bent into a series of alternate ridges and grooves in parallel lines, giving it greater stiffness. -- Corrugated paper, a thick, coarse paper corrugated in order to give it elasticity. It is used as a wrapping material for fragile articles, as bottles.

Cor`ru*ga"tion (k?r`r?-g?"sh?n), n. [Cf. F. corrugation.] The act corrugating; contraction into wrinkles or alternate ridges and grooves.

Cor"ru*ga`tor (k?r"r?-g?`t?r), n. [NL.; cf. F. corrugateur.] (Anat.) A muscle which contracts the skin of the forehead into wrinkles.

Cor*ru"gent (k?r-r?"jent), a. (Anat.) Drawing together; contracting; -- said of the corrugator. [Obs.]

Cor*rump" (k?r-r?mp"), v. t. [L. corrumpere.] To corrupt. See Corrupt. [Obs.] Chauser.

Cor*rump"a*ble (-?-b'l), a. Corruptible. [Obs.]

Cor*rupt` (k?r-r?pt"), a. [L. corruptus, p. p. of corrumpere to corrupt; cor- + rumpere to break. See Rupture.] 1. Changed from a sound to a putrid state; spoiled; tainted; vitiated; unsound.

Who with such corrupt and pestilent bread would feed them. Knolles.

2. Changed from a state of uprightness, correctness, truth, etc., to a worse state; vitiated; depraved; debased; perverted; as, corrupt language; corrupt judges.

At what ease Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt To swear against you. Shak.

3. Abounding in errors; not genuine or correct; as, the text of the manuscript is corrupt.

Cor*rupt", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Corrupted; p. pr. & vb. n. Corrupting.] 1. To change from a sound to a putrid or putrescent state; to make putrid; to putrefy.

2. To change from good to bad; to vitiate; to deprave; to pervert; to debase; to defile.

Evil communications corrupt good manners. 1. Cor. xv. 33.

3. To draw aside from the path of rectitude and duty; as, to corrupt a judge by a bribe.

Heaven is above all yet; there sits a Judge That no king can corrupt. Shak.

4. To debase or render impure by alterations or innovations; to falsify; as, to corrupt language; to corrupt the sacred text.

He that makes an ill use of it [language], though he does not corrupt the fountains of knowledge, . . . yet he stops the pines. Locke.