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: a colorless pungent fuming vesicant liquid acid CH2O2 found especially in ants and in many plants and used chiefly in dyeing and finishing textiles
Examples of formic acid in a Sentence
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However, methanol becomes formaldehyde—a cancer-causing chemical used in industrial glues and embalming corpses—and formate, or formic acid, which is a strong and toxic acid.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
The heat from cooking has the same effect on the starch as the formic acid.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
The scientists experimented with formic acid, a molecule that ants generate as venom against predators.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 Jan. 2024
The team also found simple molecules of formic acid, which causes the burning sensation associated with ant stings, as well as sulfur dioxide, methane and formaldehyde.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024
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“Formic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formic%20acid. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
formic acid
noun
for·mic acid
ˌfȯr-mik-
: a colorless strong-smelling acid that irritates the skin, is found in insects (as ants) and in many plants, and is used chiefly in dyeing and finishing woven fabrics
Medical Definition
formic acid
noun
: a colorless pungent fuming vesicant liquid acid CH2O2 found especially in ants and in many plants and used chiefly in dyeing and finishing textiles
More from Merriam-Webster on formic acid
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about formic acid
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