e·rode [ i rṓd ](past and past participlee·rod·ed, present participlee·rod·ing, 3rd person present singulare·rodes)
verb
Definition:
1. transitive and intransitive verb wear away land: to wear away outer layers of rock or soil, or be gradually worn away by the action of wind or water
2. transitive verb geology form land feature by weathering: to form a land feature such as a valley or gully by the action of wind or water
3. transitive and intransitive verb destroy something gradually: to diminish or destroy something gradually over time, or be gradually diminished or destroyed Higher inflation will erode our savings.
4. transitive and intransitive verb chemistry eat substance away: to eat into or destroy something by corrosion or chemical action, or be damaged or destroyed in this way
[Early 17th century. Directly or via French< Latin erodere "gnaw off" < rodere "gnaw"]