Definition

Noun: A 10% aqueous solution of formaldehyde, used primarily as a disinfectant or as a preservative for biological specimens.

Usage

"Formol" is a technical and chemical term. It is used in scientific, medical, and laboratory contexts to refer specifically to the standardized solution. It is often synonymous with "formalin" in common usage.

Examples

• The tissue sample was fixed in formol for histological examination.
• Formol is commonly used in anatomy labs to preserve specimens.
• For disinfection, a surface can be wiped with a dilute formol solution.

Advanced Usage

• Formol fixation: A standard process in histopathology where tissues are preserved using formol to prevent decay and maintain structure for microscopic study.
  • The biopsy required formol fixation before it could be processed and stained.

Variants and Related Words

• Formalin (n): The most common synonym for "formol"; a solution of formaldehyde in water, typically with methanol added to prevent polymerization.
• Formaldehyde (n): The pungent gas (CH₂O) from which formol is made. Formol is the aqueous solution of this gas.
• Formol-saline (n): A variant solution containing formol and sodium chloride, used for specific preservation purposes.

Synonyms

• Formalin
• Formaldehyde solution
• Methanal solution (systematic chemical name)

Notes on Meaning

While "formol" and "formalin" are often used interchangeably, "formalin" is the more prevalent term in general scientific English. "Formol" may be encountered in older texts or specific regional or technical jargon. The core meaning remains a disinfecting and preserving formaldehyde solution.

Noun

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