chloroform

¹chlo·ro·form

noun \ˈklȯr-ə-ˌfȯrm\

Definition of CHLOROFORM

: a colorless volatile heavy toxic liquid CHCl₃ with an ether odor used especially as a solvent

Origin of CHLOROFORM

French chloroforme, from chlor- + formyle formyl; from its having been regarded as a trichloride of this group

First Known Use: 1838

Rhymes with CHLOROFORM

cruciform, dendriform, dentiform, disciform, fungiform, funnelform, fusiform, land reform, letterform, microform, multiform, nonconform, racing form, thunderstorm, uniform, up a storm, vermiform

²chloroform

transitive verb

Definition of CHLOROFORM

: to treat with or as if with chloroform especially so as to produce anesthesia, insensibility, or death

First Known Use of CHLOROFORM

1848

chloroform

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Clear, colourless, heavy, nonflammable liquid organic compound with a pleasant etherlike odour, chemical formula CHCl. It was the first substance successfully used as a surgical anesthetic (1847); being somewhat toxic, it has been increasingly displaced by other substances for this purpose. It has some industrial uses, primarily as a solvent.