chloroform
UK[ˈklɒrəfɔːm]US[ˈklɔːrəfɔːrm]
n
A colorless, sweet-smelling liquid used in the past as a general anesthetic.
v
To administer chloroform to (a person or animal), typically in order to render them unconscious.
Morpheme Breakdown
chloro
form
chloro
green
form
shape, compound
Etymology
The word chloroform is a modern scientific compound, coined in the 19th century from Greek and Latin elements to describe its chemical composition. The first element, 'chloro-', derives from the Greek word for green, referring to the greenish-yellow color of chlorine gas, from which the compound is derived. The second element, '-form', was borrowed from the Latin 'forma', but in this context, it was adapted in modern chemistry to mean "compound of" or "derivative," as seen in other terms like 'iodoform'. Thus, chloroform literally means "a compound containing chlorine," a name that logically reflects its chemical origin rather than its physical properties as a colorless liquid.
Analysis
Structure: chloro (green) + form (shape, compound)
'chloro' is from Greek 'khlōros' (greenish-yellow, pale green). 'form' is from Latin 'forma' (shape, form, kind), but in chemical nomenclature, it is used to denote a compound or derivative.
Examples
The surgeon used chloroform to anesthetize the patient before the operation.
In early crime novels, villains would sometimes chloroform their victims with a soaked cloth.
Due to its toxicity, chloroform is no longer used as a medical anesthetic.