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

Police found bottles of chloroform and a "kidnap kit" complete with cable ties, a ball gag and rope when they raided the 38-year-old's flat in Harlow, Essex.

From BBC

US law enforcement in turn contacted British police, who raided the defendant's flat in Potters Field and found an "abduction kit" complete with cable ties and bottles of chloroform.

From BBC

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

What is the strange chloroform that knocks out their opponents?

From BBC