formaldehyde

noun form·al·de·hyde \fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd, fər-\

chemistry : a chemical that is used to prevent decay in the dead bodies of people and animals

Full Definition of FORMALDEHYDE

: a colorless pungent irritating gas CH₂O used chiefly in aqueous solution as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis

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International Scientific Vocabulary form- + aldehyde

First Known Use: 1872

Medical Dictionary

noun form·al·de·hyde \fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd, fər-\

: a colorless pungent irritating gas CH₂O used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis

Next Word in the Dictionary: formaldehydesulfoxylatePrevious Word in the Dictionary: formal contractAll Words Near: formaldehyde

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