Formic | a. [ L. formica an ant: cf. F. formique. ] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, ants; as, formic acid; in an extended sense, pertaining to, or derived from, formic acid; as, formic ether. [ 1913 Webster ] Amido formic acid, carbamic acid. -- Formic acid, a colorless, mobile liquid, HCO.OH, of a sharp, acid taste, occurring naturally in ants, nettles, pine needles, etc., and produced artifically in many ways, as by the oxidation of methyl alcohol, by the reduction of carbonic acid or the destructive distillation of oxalic acid. It is the first member of the fatty acids in the paraffin series, and is homologous with acetic acid. [ 1913 Webster ] | Formica | ‖prop. n. [ L., an ant. ] (Zool.) A Linnæan genus of hymenopterous insects, including the common ants. See Ant. [ 1913 Webster ] | Formica | prop. n. [ a trademark. ] A thermosetting plastic material composed of melamine resin, having good heat and chemical resistance, and commonly used as the surface layer in laminated sheets employed as coverings for counter tops, walls, or furniture. [ PJC ] | Formicaroid | a. [ NL. Formicarius, the typical genus + -oid. ] (Zool.) Like or pertaining to the family Formicaridæ or ant thrushes. [ 1913 Webster ] | Formicary | n. [ LL. formicarium, fr. L. formica an ant. ] (Zool.) The nest or dwelling of a swarm of ants; an ant-hill. [ 1913 Webster ] | Formicate | a. [ L. formica an ant. ] (Zool.) Resembling, or pertaining to, an ant or ants. [ 1913 Webster ] | Formicate | v. i. [ See Formication. ] To creep or crawl like ants; swarm with, or as with, ants. An open space which formicated with peasantry. Lowell. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ] | Formication | n. [ L. formicatio, fr. formicare to creep like an ant, to feel as if ants were crawling on one's self, fr. formica ant: cf. F. formication. ] (Med.) A sensation resembling that made by the creeping of ants on the skin. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ] | Formicid | a. (Zool.) Pertaining to the ants. -- n. One of the family Formicidæ, or ants. [ 1913 Webster ] | Formicidae | prop. n. The natural family of insects comprising the ants. Syn. -- family Formicidae. [ WordNet 1.5 ] |
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