Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Formic \For"mic\, a. [L. formica an ant: cf. F. formique.]
   (Chem.)
   Pertaining to, or derived from, ants; as, formic acid; in an
   extended sense, pertaining to, or derived from, formic acid;
   as, formic ether.

   {Amido formic acid}, carbamic acid.

   {Formic acid}, a colorless, mobile liquid, {HCO.OH}, of a
      sharp, acid taste, occurring naturally in ants, nettles,
      pine needles, etc., and produced artifically in many ways,
      as by the oxidation of methyl alcohol, by the reduction of
      carbonic acid or the destructive distillation of oxalic
      acid. It is the first member of the fatty acids in the
      paraffin series, and is homologous with acetic acid.