HgCl2

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  mercury bichloride \mercury bichloride\ n.
     the compound ({HgCl2}) consisting of two atoms of chlorine
     united with one atom of mercury. Also called {bichloride of
     mercury}, {mercuric chloride}, {corrosive sublimate}, and
     {mercury perchloride}. It is used as "a topical antiseptic
     and disinfectant for inanimate objects". --Stedman's 25th


     [PJC]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Corrosive \Cor*ro"sive\ (k?r-r?"s?v), a. [Cf. F. corrosif.]
     1. Eating away; having the power of gradually wearing,
        changing, or destroying the texture or substance of a
        body; as, the corrosive action of an acid. "Corrosive
        liquors." --Grew. "Corrosive famine." --Thomson.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Having the quality of fretting or vexing.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Care is no cure, but corrosive.       --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Corrosive sublimate} (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
        excellent antisyphilitic; called also {mercuric
        bichloride}. It is to be carefully distinguished from
        calomel, the mild chloride of mercury.
        [1913 Webster]