Formic
/ˈfɔːr.mɪk/noun
Relating to ants or to formic acid.
Did you know?Formic acid was named from the Latin *formica* (“ant”) because it was first isolated from ant bodies and ant nests, making this a rare word whose chemistry is literally insect-born.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*morwi- / *morw-
“An ant or ant-like insect.”
Latin
Latin
formica
“Ant.”
Late Latin
Latin
acidum formicum
“Ant acid; the acidic substance associated with ants.”
17th Century
English
formic
“Relating to ants; later, relating to formic acid.”
Modern English
English
formic
“Of or relating to ants or formic acid.”
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