(|)trī|klōr(ˌ)ō, -ȯ(ˌ)rō+ noun
Etymology: trichlor- + ethane
: either of two nonflammable irritating liquid isomeric compounds C 2 H 3 Cl 3 :
a. : the isomer CH 3 CCl 3 that is made usually by heating acetyl chloride with phosphorus pentachloride and is the parent compound of DDT and other insecticides — called also 1,1,1-trichloroethane
b. : the isomer CH 2 ClCHCl 2 that is made usually by the action of chlorine on vinyl chloride or ethylene dichloride and is used chiefly as a solvent — called also 1,1,2-trichloroethane