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

Derived 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 • Nov. 21, 2024

County health officials said they were testing water off Cabrillo Beach for chemicals, debris, trash and chloroform bacteria, which survive about two days in saltwater and can cause diarrhea and other intestinal problems.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2024

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 • Jul. 20, 2023

It has since been determined that nitrous oxide is safer and more effective than the other forms of inhaled dental anesthetics that were being studied at the time, including ether and chloroform.

From Salon • Feb. 3, 2020

If anesthetic to render the patient unconscious, like chloroform or ether, was available, the patient was given that.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly