Methanoic acid is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. It is also known as formic acid, which is derived from the Latin word "formica" meaning ant. This is because formic acid can be found in the venom of ants and other insects. Another synonym for methanoic acid is hydrogen carboxylic acid. The acid can also be referred to as formaldehyde acid or oxalic acid. It is widely used in the textile, leather, and rubber industries, as well as in agriculture and food preservation. Methanoic acid plays an important role in the synthesis of other compounds and can be found in various household cleaning products.