Chlo"ral (?), n. [Chlorine + alcohol.]
1. Chem.
A colorless oily liquid, CCl3.CHO, of a pungent odor and harsh taste, obtained by the action of chlorine upon ordinary or ethyl alcohol.
2. Med.
Chloral hydrate.
Chloral hydrate, a white crystalline substance, obtained by treating chloral with water. It produces sleep when taken internally or hypodermically; -- called also chloral.
© Webster 1913.