formalin

American  

[fawr-muh-lin] / ˈfɔr mə lɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a clear, colorless, aqueous solution of 40 percent formaldehyde.

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formalin British  

/ ˈfɔːməlɪn, ˈfɔːmɒl /

noun

1. a 40 per cent solution of formaldehyde in water, used as a disinfectant, preservative for biological specimens, etc

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Etymology

Origin of formalin

First recorded in 1890–95; formerly a trademark

Example Sentences

For example, mammals and reptiles were often treated with formalin before being stored in ethanol.

From Science Daily

First, the brain is preserved in formalin for two weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

This was a challenge because the specimen had been preserved for too long in formalin, which destroys genetic material.

From Science Magazine

The virus was grown in cells, and inactivated with formalin to make the “dead” virus stimulate an immune response without causing illness.

From Scientific American

"She has further requested that both fresh, frozen and formalin fixed tissue and fluid samples be preserved and provided to an independent expert to carry out further tests."

From BBC