formicadj.
/ˈfɔːmɪk/, U.S. /ˈfɔrmɪk/ 1. Chemistry. formic acid: a colourless irritant volatile acid contained in a fluid emitted by ants. formic ethers, ethers obtained by substituting alcoholic radicals for the basic hydrogen of formic acid.
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the world > matter > chemistry > organic chemistry > acids obtained from insects > [noun] > formic acid
formic acid1791
the world > matter > chemistry > organic chemistry > organic acids > [noun] > carboxylic acids > formic acid
formic acid1791
methanoic acid1894
1791 W. Hamilton tr. C.-L. Berthollet Elements Art of Dyeing II. ii. ii. i. 52 Formic acid acts on indigo like the muriatic.
1807 T. Thomson Syst. Chem. (ed. 3) II. 313 Of formic acid.
1871 J. Tyndall Fragm. Sci. (1879) I. xvii. 449 For barely visible redness formic aether is more opaque than sulphuric.
1884 F. O. Bower & D. H. Scott tr. H. A. de Bary Compar. Anat. Phanerogams & Ferns 68 By distilling the nettle plant with sulphuric acid formic acid is obtained.
2. Occasionally in gen. sense: Of or pertaining to ants.
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the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > order Hymenoptera > [adjective] > belonging to division Petiolata > of or relating to ants
myrmidonian1599
formicarian1607
formic1816
formican1880
formicine1885
1816 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. (1843) II. 88 A nest of ants..enjoying the full sun, which seems the acmé of formic felicity.
1857 Chambers's Jrnl. 7 300 Republicanism is made to find its antitype in the formic community.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1791