Ferric

a. [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.  trans. S. Tromholt, Aurora Borealis, I. 285. The so-called cosmic theory, according to which the Aurora Borealis should be produced by the earth’s entering into clouds of ferric dust during its passage through space, the molecules of which would, under the influence of the terrestrial magnetism, gather in certain conformations, producing the various forms of the aurora and its position in space.

  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. 4), 214. Ferric Acid…. Recent researches have established the existence of this compound, which corresponds to manganic acid. It is very easily decomposed, and is hardly known in a 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 insoluble basic salts and partly of the hydrated ferric oxide.