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Webster 1913 Edition


Formic

For′mic

,
Adj.
[L.
formica
an ant: cf. F.
formique
.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, ants;
as,
formic
acid
; in an extended sense, pertaining to, or derived from, formic acid;
as,
formic
ether
.
Amido formic acid
,
carbamic acid.
Formic acid
,
a colorless, mobile liquid,
HCO.OH
, of a sharp, acid taste, occurring naturally in ants, nettles, pine needles, etc., and produced artifically in many ways, as by the oxidation of methyl alcohol, by the reduction of carbonic acid or the destructive distillation of oxalic acid. It is the first member of the fatty acids in the paraffin series, and is homologous with acetic acid.

Webster 1828 Edition


Formic

FOR'MIC

,
Adj.
[L. formica, an ant.] Pertaining to ants; as the formic acid, the acid of ants.

Definition 2024


formic

formic

English

Adjective

formic (comparative more formic, superlative most formic)

  1. Of or pertaining to ants.
  2. (organic chemistry) Of, pertaining to or derived from formic acid (or from methane).

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