Chloroform
/ˈklɔːr.ə.fɔːrm/noun
A colorless volatile liquid once used as an anesthetic and solvent.
Did you know?The word was coined in 1831 by chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas from Greek roots meaning “green” and “form,” because early samples could produce a greenish coloration during preparation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
khlōrós
“greenish-yellow, pale green”
Ancient Greek
Greek
morphḗ
“form, shape”
1831
French
chloroforme
“the chemical compound chloroform, named for its formation process and color”
1830s
English
chloroform
“the chemical compound used as a solvent and later as an anesthetic”
Modern English
English
chloroform
“a volatile liquid used in chemical and historical medical contexts”
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