corrosive sublimate
n 1: a white poisonous soluble crystalline sublimate of mercury;
used as a pesticide or antiseptic or wood preservative
[syn: {mercuric chloride}, {mercury chloride}, {bichloride
of mercury}, {corrosive sublimate}]
mercury bichloride \mercury bichloride\ n.
the compound ({HgCl2}) consisting of two atoms of chlorine
united with one atom of mercury. Also called {bichloride of
mercury}, {mercuric chloride}, {corrosive sublimate}, and
{mercury perchloride}. It is used as "a topical antiseptic
and disinfectant for inanimate objects". --Stedman's 25th
[PJC]
Sublimate \Sub"li*mate\, n. [LL. sublimatum.] (Chem.)
A product obtained by sublimation; hence, also, a purified
product so obtained.
[1913 Webster]
{Corrosive sublimate}. (Chem.) mercuric chloride. See
{Corrosive sublimate} under {Corrosive}.
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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.
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2. Having the quality of fretting or vexing.
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Care is no cure, but corrosive. --Shak.
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{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.
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Bichloride \Bi*chlo"ride\, n. [Pref. bi- + chloride.] (Chem.)
A compound consisting of two atoms of chlorine with one or
more atoms of another element; -- called also {dichloride}.
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{Bichloride of mercury}, mercuric chloride; -- sometimes
called {corrosive sublimate}.
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