[fawr-mal-duh-hahyd, fer-] 
| a colorless, toxic, potentially carcinogenic, water-soluble gas, CH2O, having a suffocating odor, usually derived from methyl alcohol by oxidation: used chiefly in aqueous solution, as a disinfectant and preservative, and in the manufacture of various resins and plastics. |
| for·mal·de·hyde (fôr-māl'də-hīd') n. A colorless gaseous compound, HCHO, the simplest aldehyde, used for manufacturing melamine and phenolic resins, fertilizers, dyes, and embalming fluids and in aqueous solution as a preservative and disinfectant. [form(ic acid) + aldehyde.] |
formaldehyde for·mal·de·hyde (fôr-māl'də-hīd')
n.
A colorless, gaseous compound that is the simplest aldehyde, used for manufacturing melamine and phenolic resins, fertilizers, dyes, and embalming fluids and in aqueous solution as a preservative and disinfectant.
| formaldehyde (fôr-māl'də-hīd') Pronunciation Key
A colorless gas having a sharp, suffocating odor. It is used in making plastics and, when dissolved in a solution of water and methanol, to preserve biological specimens. Chemical formula: CH2O. |
dəˌhaɪd