formique

Forms

formique (plural formiques)^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin formīca (“ant”) with the suffix -ique, shortened by haplology from an expected ⟨formicique⟩.^[2][3][4] Wiktionary instead analyses it as the element formi- with the same suffix.^[1] The Latin word is also the source of fourmi.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

An isolated record about 1370 in Guy de Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie means “of ants”.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

The sense “of or from ants” has always been rare.^[4] The word took hold in chemistry with acide formique (1787), in Guyton de Morveau's dictionary of the new chemical nomenclature, an acid first obtained from ants.^[2][3][5] Claudel used it figuratively in 1926 in grouillement formique, of a swarming like that of ants.^[2][6] From its stem chemists formed formol (1892), and Formica, a trade name of 1950, was taken from it.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 1370 – Guy de Chauliac uses it in the Grande Chirurgie.^[2]
• 1787 – Acide formique appears in Guyton de Morveau's dictionary.^[2]
• 1892 – Formol is formed from its stem.^[4]
• 1926 – Claudel writes grouillement formique.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Of or from ants.^[2][7]
2. (chemistry) Acide formique: formic acid, a colourless, pungent, corrosive liquid found in ants and nettles.^[2][7][8]
3. (chemistry) Aldéhyde formique: formaldehyde.^[8][7]

Word family

• formol
• formiate
• formaldéhyde

Related words

• fourmi
• formication
• Latin formīca

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ a b c d e f Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
7. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse