formic
|for-mic|
🇺🇸
/ˈfɔrmɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˈfɔːmɪk/
of or from ants; ant-related
Etymology
'formic' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'formica', where 'formica' meant 'ant'.
'formic' developed via New Latin (used in compounds and in the name of formic acid, e.g. acidum formicum) into English as an adjective meaning both 'of ants' and 'of formic acid'.
Initially it meant 'of ants', but over time it also came to mean 'derived from or relating to formic acid' in chemical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to ants; of or characteristic of ants.
Formic pheromones guide worker ants to food sources.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
of or derived from formic acid (HCOOH); used in chemistry to describe salts, esters, or reactions involving formic acid.
Formic derivatives, such as methyl formate, are used in organic synthesis.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/28 14:54