Formates

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Salts or esters formed when formic acid reacts with a base or alcohol
2. Chemical compounds produced by the reaction of formic acid with metals or organic compounds
3. Compounds derived from formic acid, containing the formate ion or radical

Etymology: "Formates" is the plural of "formate," a salt or ester of formic acid. The chemical name traces back to Latin "formica," meaning "ant," because formic acid was first obtained by distilling ants.

Synonyms: salts of formic acid