ferric, a.
(ˈfɛrɪk)
[f. L. ferr-um iron + -ic. Cf. F. ferrique.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or extracted from iron.
| 1799 Sir H. Davy in Beddoes Contrib. to Phys. & Med. Knowl. (1799) 184 The argentic and ferric phosoxyds. 1852 Joubert in Jrnl. Soc. Arts 26 Nov., A ferric solution should be employed. 1885 S. Tromholt Aurora Borealis I. 285 The Aurora Borealis should be produced by the earth's entering into clouds of ferric dust. |
2. Chem. applied to compounds in which iron exists in its higher degree of valency, as ferric acid, a hypothetical acid H2FeO, assumed to exist in the salts called ferrates; ferric bromide FeBr3; ferric chloride FeCl3; ferric fluoride FeF3; ferric oxide Fe2O3; ferric sulphide Fe2S3. Also ferric state: see quot. 1881.
| 1853 W. Gregory Inorg. Chem. (ed. 3) 214 Ferric Acid..corresponding to manganic acid, is also unknown in the separate state. 1881 Times Jan. 3/6 The metal [iron] itself when in the ferric state, or state of highest combining power. 1882 Geikie Text-bk. Geol. ii. ii. §6. 174 Precipitates, consisting..partly of the hydrated ferric oxide. |