The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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]