Definition

1. Noun:
   • A 10% solution of formaldehyde in water: A clear, colorless liquid with a pungent, irritating odor, primarily used as a disinfectant or a preservative for biological specimens.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The laboratory technician used formalin to preserve the tissue sample for later analysis.
  • Formalin is a common fixative in histology labs.
  • The strong smell in the anatomy lab is from the formalin.

Advanced Usage

• "Formalin-fixed": Refers to biological tissue that has been preserved by immersion in formalin.
  • The pathologist examined the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue section under the microscope.

Variants and Related Words

• Formaldehyde (n): The gaseous chemical compound (HCHO) which is the active ingredient in formalin.
  • Formaldehyde is a simple aldehyde used in the production of resins.
• Formalin solution: A more precise term, emphasizing it is an aqueous solution.

Synonyms

• Formaldehyde solution: A more technical synonym.
• Formol: An older, less common term for formalin.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "formalin" specifically denotes the standardized aqueous solution. It is not synonymous with pure formaldehyde gas or other concentrations of formaldehyde in water. Its primary contexts are scientific, medical, and industrial.

Noun

1. a 10% solution of formaldehyde in water; used as a disinfectant or to preserve biological specimens