| 1. | Also called trichloromethane. Chemistry, Pharmacology. a colorless, volatile, nonflammable, slightly water-soluble, pungent, sweet-tasting liquid, CHCl3, 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. |
| 2. | to administer chloroform to, esp. in order to anesthetize, make unconscious, or kill. |
| 3. | to put chloroform on (a cloth, object, etc.). |
chloroform chlo·ro·form (klôr'ə-fôrm')
n.
A clear, colorless, heavy, sweet-smelling liquid used sometimes as a general anesthetic; it has generally been replaced by less toxic, more easily controlled agents.
| chloroform (klôr'ə-fôrm') Pronunciation Key
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: CHCl3. |