zerfressen

eaten away, corroded, gnawed through

adjective tser-FRES-sen Rare

Usage Note

Zerfressen describes material eaten away by corrosion, acid, insects, or rodents — zerfressen von Rost, zerfressenes Holz. The word evokes a destructive devouring process that leaves the material deeply damaged.

Examples

"Der von Termiten zerfressene Balken musste sofort ausgetauscht werden."

Natural Translation

The beam eaten away by termites had to be replaced immediately.

Literal Translation

The by termites devoured beam had to immediately exchanged be.

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