corrosive sublimate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Obsolete technical / Historical scientific
Quick answer
What does “corrosive sublimate” mean?
An archaic chemical name for mercuric chloride (HgCl₂), a highly toxic, white, crystalline solid that sublimes and is corrosive to tissue.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An archaic chemical name for mercuric chloride (HgCl₂), a highly toxic, white, crystalline solid that sublimes and is corrosive to tissue.
Historically used in disinfectants, antiseptics, and photography; in figurative literary use, it can denote something that consumes or destroys slowly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern regional difference, as the term is archaic in both varieties. Historical usage was identical.
Connotations
Strongly historical, evoking early chemistry, alchemy, or antiquated medical treatments.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use, found only in historical texts or discussions of the history of science/medicine.
Grammar
How to Use “corrosive sublimate” in a Sentence
The term is a noun phrase; typically used as a subject or object (e.g., 'They applied corrosive sublimate').Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical papers on chemistry or medicine.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Obsolete; replaced by 'mercuric chloride' in modern chemistry/toxicology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corrosive sublimate”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corrosive sublimate”
- Using it as a modern technical term; confusing it with other sublimes or corrosives; misinterpreting 'sublimate' as a verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its use has been discontinued due to high toxicity and the availability of safer alternatives. The substance itself (mercuric chloride) is handled only under strict controls in labs.
In older chemistry, it referred to a solid product obtained by sublimation (heating a solid into vapour and condensing it back). Mercuric chloride sublimes easily.
Very rarely in literary contexts, to describe something that acts like a slow, consuming poison (e.g., 'his jealousy was a corrosive sublimate'). It is not a standard metaphor.
It is a potent poison and was a common cause of fatal accidental or intentional poisoning in the past. Even small doses can cause severe kidney damage.
An archaic chemical name for mercuric chloride (HgCl₂), a highly toxic, white, crystalline solid that sublimes and is corrosive to tissue.
Corrosive sublimate is usually obsolete technical / historical scientific in register.
Corrosive sublimate: in British English it is pronounced /kəˌrəʊsɪv ˈsʌblɪmət/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˌroʊsɪv ˈsʌblɪmət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific; archaic term not used idiomatically.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CORROSIVE (it burns) SUBLIMATE (it turns from solid to vapour) – a burning poison that can vanish into air.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DESTRUCTIVE SUBSTANCE (for something that erodes integrity or health from within).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'corrosive sublimate'?