formic acid
noun [ U ] chemistry specialized uk/ˌfɔː.mɪk ˈæs.ɪd/ us/ˌfɔːr.mɪk ˈæs.ɪd/
甲酸
an acid with the chemical formula HCOOH, which is found naturally in some insects and plants that sting (= cause a small, painful skin injury)
Formic acid is secreted by some insects, especially red ants. 一些昆虫，特别是蚂蚁，会分泌甲酸。
The nettle is a weed whose sting comes from formic acid. 荨麻是一种野草，因含甲酸而会造成刺痛。
- More examples
- If alarmed, the caterpillar squirts formic acid.
- Pine martens dive into these ant heaps, grab as many grubs as they can, and get out quick before the ants can spray them with formic acid.
- In the liver, enzymes turn methanol into formaldehyde, then into formic acid.
- Tests revealed the paint remover contained formic acid, which an expert said could be lethal to a child if only a teaspoonful was swallowed.