Formicate
/ˈfɔːr.mɪ.keɪt/noun
To crawl or move like an ant.
Did you know?The related medical term “formication” describes the sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin, even when none are present.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*morwi-
“Reconstructed word for “ant,” the probable ancient source behind Latin formica”
Classical Latin
Latin
formīca
“Ant”
Classical Latin
Latin
formīcāre
“To crawl or move like an ant”
Medieval Latin
Latin
formicāre
“To behave like an ant; to crawl in an ant-like manner”
17th Century
English
formicate
“To crawl like an ant”
Modern English
English
formicate
“To move or crawl in the manner of an ant”
Explore more surprising origins