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cor·rode verb cor·rod·ed; cor·rod·ing : to wear or be worn away gradually (as by chemical action)

— cor·ro·sion noun

— cor·ro·sive adjective or noun

Synonyms

bite, eat, erode, fret—more at EAT

cor·ru·gate verb -gat·ed; -gat·ing : to form into wrinkles or ridges and grooves

— cor·ru·gat·ed adjective

— cor·ru·ga·tion noun

1corrupt verb 1 a : to make evil : DEPRAVE

b : BRIBE

2 : to undergo decomposition from the action of bacteria or fungi : ROT, SPOIL

Synonyms

[1a] abase, debase, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, deprave, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, warp—more at DEBASE

[2] break down, decay, decompose, disintegrate, molder, putrefy, rot, spoil—more at DECAY

2corrupt adjective : morally degenerate; also : characterized by improper conduct <~ officials>

Synonyms

debauched, decadent, degenerate, dissolute, perverse, perverted, reprobate; also crooked, cutthroat, dishonest, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous; contaminated, spoiled, tainted; bad, evil, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, sinful, vicious, wicked

cor·rupt·ible adjective : capable of being corrupted

Synonyms

bribable, purchasable, venal—more at VENAL

cor·rup·tion noun 1 : impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle

2 : the process of rotting

Synonyms

[1] debasement, debauchery, decadence, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, demoralization, depravity, dissipation, dissoluteness, perversion; also evil, immorality, sinfulness, wickedness

[2] breakdown, decay, decomposition, putrefaction, rot, spoilage; also crumbling, disintegration, dissolution; curdling, fermentation, moldering, souring

cor·sage noun [ORIGIN: F, bust, bodice, fr. OF, bust, fr. cors body, fr. L corpus]

1 : the waist or bodice of a dress

2 : a bouquet to be worn or carried

cor·sair noun : one who commits or practices piracy : PIRATE

Synonyms

buccaneer, freebooter, pirate, rover—more at PIRATE

cor·set noun : a stiffened undergarment worn for support or to give shape to the waist and hips

cor·tege also cor·tège noun [ORIGIN: F]

1 : PROCESSION; especially : a funeral procession

2 : a train of attendants

Synonyms

following, retinue, suite, train; also crew, personnel, staff; assistant, attendant, helper, retainer

cor·tex noun, plural cor·ti·ces or cor·tex·es : an outer or covering layer of an organism or one of its parts <~ of a plant stem>; especially : CEREBRAL CORTEX

— cor·ti·cal adjective

cor·ti·co·ste·roid noun : any of various steroids made in the adrenal cortex and used medically as anti-inflammatory agents

cor·ti·sone noun : an adrenal hormone used in treating rheumatoid arthritis

co·run·dum noun : a very hard aluminum-containing mineral used as an abrasive or as a gem

cor·us·cate verb -cat·ed; -cat·ing : FLASH, SPARKLE

— cor·us·ca·tion noun

cor·vette noun 1 : a naval sailing ship smaller than a frigate

2 : an armed escort ship smaller than a destroyer

co·ry·za noun : an inflammatory disorder of the upper respiratory tract; especially : COMMON COLD

cos abbreviation cosine

COS abbreviation 1 cash on shipment

2 chief of staff

co·sig·na·to·ry noun : a joint signer

co·sign·er noun : COSIGNATORY; especially : a joint signer of a promissory note

co·sine noun : the trigonometric function that is the ratio between the side next to an acute angle in a right triangle and the hypotenuse

1cosmetic adjective [ORIGIN: Gk kosmētikos skilled in adornment, fr. kosmein to arrange, adorn, fr. kosmos order, ornament, universe]

1 : intended to beautify the hair or complexion

2 : correcting physical defects esp. to improve appearance <~ dentistry>

3 : SUPERFICIAL

2cosmetic noun : a cosmetic preparation

cos·me·tol·o·gist noun : one who gives beauty treatments

— cos·me·tol·o·gy noun

cos·mic also cos·mi·cal adjective 1 : of or relating to the cosmos

2 : characterized by greatness esp. in extent, intensity, or comprehensiveness : VAST, GRAND

— cos·mi·cal·ly adverb

cosmic ray noun