formaldehyde
|for-mal-de-hyde|
🇺🇸
/fɔrˈmældəˌhaɪd/
🇬🇧
/fɔːˈmældɪhaɪd/
preservative gas
Etymology
'formaldehyde' originates from the combination of 'formic acid' and 'aldehyde', where 'formic' is derived from the Latin 'formica', meaning 'ant', and 'aldehyde' is derived from the German 'Aldehyd', a contraction of 'alcohol dehydrogenatum', meaning 'dehydrogenated alcohol'.
'formaldehyde' was first synthesized by the Russian chemist Aleksandr Butlerov in 1859 and later became widely used in various industrial applications.
Initially, it was used primarily in scientific research, but over time it evolved into its current use as a preservative and disinfectant.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, CH₂O, used in aqueous solution as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis.
Formaldehyde is commonly used in the production of industrial resins.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/03 05:54