1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Formula  \For"mu*la\,  n.;  pl  E.  {Formulas},  L.  {Formul[ae]}. 
  [L.,  dim.  of  forma  form  model.  See{Form},  n.] 
  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. 
 
  Note:  Chemical  formul[ae]  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  rational  formula  of  acetic  acid  is 
  {CH3.(C:O).OH};  --  called  also  {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. 

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