'formicid' originates from New Latin (scientific usage), specifically from the family name 'Formicidae', where Latin 'formica' meant 'ant' and the taxonomic suffix '-id(–idae)' comes via New Latin/Greek formation.

'formicid' changed from Latin word 'formica' to New Latin 'Formicidae' (family name) and eventually into the English term 'formicid' referring to members of that family.

Initially it meant 'ant' (from Latin 'formica'), but over time it became used in scientific contexts to denote members of the family Formicidae (i.e., an ant as a taxonomic member).