Chem. Also less analogically formiate. [f. FORM(IC) + -ATE.] A salt of formic acid.
1810. T. Thomson, A System of Chemistry (ed. 4), II. 350. Formic acid may be obtained from formate of lead precisely as acetic acid is procured from acetate of copper. Ibid., 572. Acids wholly decomposed…. 15. Formiates.
1825. Hamilton, Hand-bk. Terms, Formates.
1853. W. Gregory, Inorg. Chem. (ed. 4), 320. The chlorides of the noble metals are reduced by boiling their solutions with a formiate.
1876. Harley, Mat. Med., 105. Its aqueous solution decomposes spontaneously with the formation of formiate of potash and ammonia.
