corrosion

Etymology

From Middle English corrosioun, from Old French corrosion, or its source, Late Latin corrōsiōnem, accusative singular of corrōsiō (“gnawing away, corroding”), from Latin corrōdō (“gnaw away, corrode”).

noun

1. The act of corroding or the condition so produced.
2. A substance (such as rust) so formed.
3. (chemistry) Erosion by chemical action, especially oxidation.
4. (by extension) The gradual destruction or undermining of something.
   the corrosion of values