chloroform: Meaning and Definition of

chlo•ro•form

1. Also calleda colorless, volatile, nonflammable, slightly water-soluble, pungent, sweet-tasting liquid, CHCl, 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.

1. to administer chloroform to, esp. in order to anesthetize, make unconscious, or kill.
2. to put chloroform on (a cloth, object, etc.).