[klawr-uh-fawrm, klohr-] 
| 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.). |
| chlo·ro·form (klôr'ə-fôrm', klōr'-) n. A clear, colorless, heavy, sweet-smelling liquid, CHCl3, used in refrigerants, propellants, and resins, as a solvent, and sometimes as an anesthetic. Chloroform, once widely used in human and veterinary surgery, has generally been replaced by less toxic, more easily controlled agents. tr.v. chlo·ro·formed, chlo·ro·form·ing, chlo·ro·forms
[chloro- + form(yl).] |
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A clear, colorless, heavy, sweet-smelling liquid used sometimes as a general anesthetic; it has generally been replaced by less toxic, more easily controlled agents.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. |
əˌfɔrm