English word formaldehyde comes from English formic acid, English aldehyde
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| formic acid | English (eng) | (organic compound) The simplest carboxylic acid, HCOOH, a colourless, corrosive liquid with a sharp odour; it is present in the stings of ants, bees and nettles, and is prepared industrially by the oxidation of methanol or formaldehyde; it has some industrial uses, and its esters, the formates are used in perfumes. |
| aldehyde | English (eng) | (organic compound) Any of a large class of reactive organic compounds (R·CHO) having a carbonyl functional group attached to one hydrocarbon radical and a hydrogen atom. |
| formaldehyde | English (eng) | (organic compound) The simplest aldehyde, H-CHO, a colourless gas that has many industrial applications; it dissolves in water to give formol (10%) and formalin. |