Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Formula
For′mu-la
,Noun.
pl. E.
Formulas
(#)
, L. Formulæ
(#)
. 1.
A prescribed or set form; an established rule; a fixed or conventional method in which anything is to be done, arranged, or said.
2.
(Eccl.)
A written confession of faith; a formal statement of foctrines.
3.
(Math.)
A rule or principle expressed in algebraic language;
as, the binominal
. formula
4.
(Med.)
A prescription or recipe for the preparation of a medicinal compound.
5.
(Chem.)
A symbolic expression (by means of letters, figures, etc.) of the constituents or constitution of a compound.
☞ Chemical formulæ consist of the abbreviations of the names of the elements, with a small figure at the lower right hand, to denote the number of atoms of each element contained.
Empirical formula
(Chem.)
, an expression which gives the simple proportion of the constituents;
– as, the
. empirical formula
of acetic acid is C2H4O2
Graphic formula
,
Rational formula
(Chem.)
, an expression of the constitution, and in a limited sense of the structure, of a compound, by the grouping of its atoms or radicals;
– as, a
; – called also rational formula
of acetic acid is CH3.(C:O).OH
structural formula
, constitutional formula
, etc. See also the formula of Benzene nucleus
, under Benzene
. Molecular formula
(Chem.)
, a formula indicating the supposed molecular constitution of a compound.
Webster 1828 Edition
Formula
FORM'ULA
,'ULE,Noun.
1.
A prescribed form; a rule or model.2.
In medicine, a prescription.3.
In church affairs, a confession of faith.4.
In mathematics, a general expression for resolving certain cases or problems.