a. [for *formicic, f. L. formīc-a ant + -IC. Cf. F. formique.]
1. Chem. Formic acid: a colorless irritant volatile acid contained in a fluid emitted by ants.
Formic ethers, ethers obtained by substituting alcoholic radicals for the basic hydrogen of formic acid.
1791. Hamilton, Berthollet’s Dyeing, II. II. II. i. 52. The other acids, as the tartarous, formic, acetous, and phosphoric, act on indigo like the muriatic: they dissolve precipitated indigo very well.
1810. T. Thomson, A System of Chemistry (ed. 4), II. 347. section title, Of Formic Acid.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sc. (1879), I. xvii. 449. For barely visible redness formic aether is more opaque than sulphuric.
1884. Bower & Scott, De Bary’s Phaner., 68. By distilling the nettle plant with sulphuric acid formic acid is obtained, the conjecture has been founded that the latter substance causes the phenomena of stinging.
2. Occas. in gen. sense: Of or pertaining to ants.
1816. Kirby & Sp., Entomol. (1843), II. 88–9. A nest of ants which Bonnet found in the head of a teazle, when enjoying the full sun, which seems the acmé of formic felicity, amused themselves with carrying each other on their backs, the rider holding with his mandibles the neck of his horse, and embracinng it closely with his legs.
1857. Chamb. Jrnl., VII. 9 May, 300/2. Every one knows how ants and bees are taken to represent the two great sects of human politicians; how republicanism is made to find its antitype in the formic community, and monarchy its exemplar in the apiarian kingdom.
