corrosive : Idioms & Phrases

noun a white poisonous soluble crystalline sublimate of mercury; used as a pesticide or antiseptic or wood preservative
mercury chloride; mercuric chloride; bichloride of mercury.

(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 exellent antisyphilitic; called also mercuric bichloride. It is to be carefully distinguished from calomel, the mild chloride of mercury.