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Corrode

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to destroy slowly by chemical action

Where does the word "corrode" come from? It comes from Latin corrodere, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
corrodere
Latin · ancient
"to gnaw away"
'com-' plus 'rodere', to gnaw
2
Stage 2 of 2
corrode
English · 1300s
"to gnaw away"
'corrosive' followed
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Read the full story

Corrode’s story begins in Latin: corrodere meant “to gnaw away.” 'com-' plus 'rodere', to gnaw. It reached English by 1300s as corrode. 'corrosive' followed. Today, corrode means to destroy slowly by chemical action.