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formic acid

   Also found in: Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.
formic acid
n.
A colorless caustic fuming liquid, HCOOH, used in dyeing and finishing textiles and paper and in the manufacture of fumigants, insecticides, and refrigerants.
[From its natural occurrence in ants.]
formic acid
Noun
an acid derived from ants [Latin formica ant]
formic acid  (fôrmk)
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. Chemical formula: CH2O2.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.formic acid - a colorless pungent fuming vesicatory liquid acid HCOOH found naturally in ants and many plants or made catalytically from carbon monoxide and steam; used in finishing textiles and paper and in the manufacture of insecticides and fumigants
acid - any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt


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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
The muscles made of the alloy function about equally well when powered by methanol, hydrogen, or formic acid, he adds.
Pumping alloy: a new way to power artificial muscles may lead to ... by Weiss, Peter / Science News
But once in the manure storage, formalin breaks down into formic acid and water—substances completely harmless to the soil.
Chemistry to the Rescue by Gaige, Meg / Dairy Today
The leaves, stem, and roots are covered with minute "hairs" which trigger the release of formic acid (the same irritant present in ant bites) when you "rub them the wrong way.
The glory of nettles by Wood, Corinna / New Life Journal
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