chloroform

American  

[klawr-uh-fawrm, klohr-] / ˈklɔr əˌfɔrm, ˈkloʊr- /

noun

1. Also called trichloromethane.  Chemistry, Pharmacology. a colorless, volatile, nonflammable, slightly water-soluble, pungent, sweet-tasting liquid, CHCl 3 , usually derived from acetone, acetaldehyde, or ethyl alcohol by the reaction of chloride of lime: used chiefly in medicine as a solvent and formerly as an anesthetic.

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verb (used with object)

1. to administer chloroform to, especially in order to anesthetize, make unconscious, or kill.

2. to put chloroform on (a cloth, object, etc.).

chloroform British  

/ ˈklɔːrəˌfɔːm /

noun

1. Systematic name: trichloromethane.  a heavy volatile liquid with a sweet taste and odour, used as a solvent and cleansing agent and in refrigerants: formerly used as an inhalation anaesthetic. Formula: CHCl 3

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chloroform Scientific  

/ klôr′ə-fôrm′ /

1. A colorless, toxic, sweet-tasting liquid formed by combining methane with chlorine. It is used as a solvent and was once widely used as an anesthetic. Chemical formula: CHCl ₃ .

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Other Word Forms

• chloroformic adjective
• prechloroform verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of chloroform

First recorded in 1830–40; chloro- ² + form(yl)

Example Sentences

In contrast, when dissolved in chloroform, both the chlorophyll derivatives formed rosette patterns.

From Science Daily

They included several types of phthalates, chemicals used to make plastics flexible; chloroform, a toxic byproduct from disinfecting water with chlorine; and toluene, a hazardous substance found in vehicle exhaust.

From Los Angeles Times

Researchers at the University of Washington have genetically modified pothos plants with a synthetic version of a "green liver" protein found in rabbits, which can process chloroform and benzene.

From BBC

Ether had made its way into medicine as a general anesthetic in 1846, with chloroform arriving the very next year.

From Salon

All 37 have been named Bill, and over the last 70 years, Army cadets have stolen Bill at least 10 times, beginning in 1953 with a plan that involved a convertible and some chloroform.

From New York Times