adjective

1. of ants
2. designating or of a colorless acid, HCOOH, that is extremely irritating to the skin: it is found in living organisms, as ants, spiders, and nettles, and is prepared commercially for use in dyeing textiles, treating leather, preserving food, etc.

Etymology: < L formica, an ant < IE *morm-, var. of morwi- > OIr moirb, ON maurr, ant: see pismire