formic acid

noun

, Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a colorless, irritating, fuming, water-soluble liquid, CH 2 O 2 , originally obtained from ants and now manufactured synthetically, used in dyeing and tanning and in medicine chiefly as a counterirritant and astringent.

formic acid

noun

1. a colourless corrosive liquid carboxylic acid found in some insects, esp ants, and many plants: used in dyeing textiles and the manufacture of insecticides and refrigerants. Formula: HCOOH Systematic namemethanoic acid

formic acid

/ fôr′mĭk /

1. A colorless, caustic, fuming liquid that occurs naturally as the poison of ants and stinging nettles. It is used in making textiles and paper and in insecticides. Formic acid is the simplest organic acid, containing a carboxyl (COOH) group attached to a hydrogen atom. Chemical formula: CH 2 O 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of formic acid¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Perhaps you don’t have the gene that allows you to smell formic acid, but it’s more likely that you’ve just never taken the time to sniff your little neighbors.

From Popular-Science

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

Formic acid was detected in the whole-milk cheese only at the five and one-half month stage.

From Project Gutenberg

It also combines directly with potassium hydride to form potassium formate (see Formic Acid).

From Project Gutenberg