Formicas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of thermosetting plastic laminate used to cover surfaces, particularly for countertops and furniture
2. a brand name that has become synonymous with similar products in the laminate market
3. or a material known for its durability and resistance to heat and scratches while being easy to clean and maintain

Etymology: "Formicas" is simply the plural of "formica," so the history belongs to the singular. Formica began as a brand name: it was a trademark for a laminate made of resin-impregnated paper pressed into a hard, heat- and scratch-resistant sheet, and the company's product name eventually became a common noun for that material in general. Its name was shaped to sound like a scientific term, which is why many people assume it comes from Latin. The name only looks Latin. By surface analysis, it seems to combine "for-" with "mica," the mineral whose flaky, glittering layers suggested the layered structure of the laminate, but this is an apparent construction rather than a documented derivation. The Latin word "formica" meant "ant," and a related obsolete English word, "formic" or "mire," also referred to ants, so the resemblance is a coincidence of spelling rather than a shared root.

Synonyms: laminates