For·mu·la n.; 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.
 Note: ☞ 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 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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 Graph·ic Graph·ic·al, a.
 1. Of or pertaining to the arts of painting and drawing; of or pertaining to graphics; as, graphic art work. [wns=2]
 2. Of or pertaining to the art of writing.
 3. Written or engraved; formed of letters or lines.
    The finger of God hath left an inscription upon all his works, not graphical, or composed of letters.   --Sir T. Browne.
 4. Having the faculty of clear, detailed, and impressive description; as, a graphic writer.
 5. Well delineated; clearly and vividly described; characterized by, clear, detailed, and impressive description; vivid; evoking lifelike images within the mind; as graphic details of the President's sexual misbehavior; a graphic description of the accident; graphic images of violence. [wns=5]
 Syn: -- lifelike, pictorial, vivid.
 Graphic algebra, a branch of algebra in which, the properties of equations are treated by the use of curves and straight lines.
 Graphic arts, a name given to those fine arts which pertain to the representation on a fiat surface of natural objects; as distinguished from music, etc., and also from sculpture.
 Graphic formula. Chem. See under Formula.
 Graphic granite. See under Granite.
 Graphic method, the method of scientific analysis or investigation, in which the relations or laws involved in tabular numbers are represented to the eye by means of curves or other figures; as the daily changes of weather by means of curves, the abscissas of which represent the hours of the day, and the ordinates the corresponding degrees of temperature.
 Graphical statics Math., a branch of statics, in which the magnitude, direction, and position of forces are represented by straight lines
 Graphic tellurium. See Sylvanite.

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