/ ˈklɒrəfɔːm; NAmE ˈklɔːrəfɔːrm/ noun
[ U ] ( symb CHCl 3 ) a clear liquid used in the past in medicine, etc. to make people unconscious, for example before an operation
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: from chloro- (representing chlorine ) + form- from formic acid .