ˈfȯrməˌzan noun
( -s )
Etymology: form- + az- + -an
: a hypothetical hydrazone HN . NCH . NNH 2 related to formic acid and known only in the form of intensely colored derivatives (as triphenyl-formazan) that are obtained either from hydrazones by coupling with diazonium compounds or from colorless tetrazolium compounds by the reducing action of living tissues, in the latter case serving as indicators of viability as a result of color production ; also : any of these derivatives