formic

[ fawr-mik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to ants.
2. Chemistry. of or derived from formic acid.

formic

/ ˈfɔːmɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or derived from ants
2. of, containing, or derived from formic acid

Word History and Origins

Origin of formic¹

1785–95; irregular < Latin formīca ant. Cf. French formique

Word History and Origins

Origin of formic¹

C18: from Latin formīca ant; the acid occurs naturally in ants

Example Sentences

The distillate "B" may contain formic, acetic, propionic, butyric and benzoic acids.

From Project Gutenberg

The acids of perspiration (acetic, formic, and butyric) often become so concentrated that they act on the fiber of the fabric.

From Project Gutenberg

Salts, in which one atom of hydrogen in formic acid is replaced by a metal or other basic radical.

From Project Gutenberg

Formic acid was supposed to be an oxide of formyl; and chloroform, the terchloride of formyl.

From Project Gutenberg

It manifests this peculiarity because of the volatile formic acid which it contains.

From Project Gutenberg