[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/formic/)

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# formic

adjective (formic)

«formic» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (science) To do with ants. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formic/#m1)
2. (chemistry) «Formic acid» is a stinging acid made by ants and stinging nettles; it causes the itchy, burning feeling of an ant bite or nettle sting. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formic/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons about acids and alkalis: nettle and ant stings contain formic acid; some people rub on a mild alkali (like soap) to ease them, and a dock leaf is a traditional remedy. Some birds sit on ant nests so the ants spray formic acid that cleans their feathers («anting»).

### Examples

- Ants spray formic acid to defend themselves. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formic/#x1)
- Nettle stings contain formic acid. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formic/#x2)
- The burning feeling of an ant bite comes from formic acid. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formic/#x3)
- Formic acid got its name from the Latin word for ant. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formic/#x4)
- Birds sometimes use formic acid from ants to clean their feathers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formic/#x5)

### Note

Used almost only in «formic acid». From Latin «formica», ant. Not related to «form» or «formal».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «formic» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formic/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«formic» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/formic.html) on Mova free.