chloral Hear it!

chloral Definition

chlo·ral (klôrəl)

noun

  1. a thin, oily, colorless liquid, CClCHO, with a pungent odor, prepared by the action of chlorine on alcohol: used in the manufacture of DDT
  2. chloral hydrate

Etymology: chlor(o)- + al(cohol)

chloral Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • hydrate: He made a very brief examination of Miss X believing, incorrectly, that she had been given chloral hydrate.