haloform

9.9

A chemical made of one carbon atom and three atoms of chlorine or bromine, like chloroform

noun
/ˈheɪloʊfɔrm/

Specialized

: haloforma

Chloroform is a well-known example of a haloform used in the past as an anesthetic.

Examples

Researchers found traces of multiple haloforms in the treated water sample.
The laboratory synthesized a new haloform for testing its antiseptic properties.
The laboratory synthesized a new haloform for testing.
Chloroform is a common haloform used in organic chemistry.
Chloroform is a well-known example of a haloform used in the past as an anesthetic.
Researchers found traces of multiple haloforms in the treated water sample.
The laboratory synthesized a new haloform for testing its antiseptic properties.

Synonyms

halocarbon

vshaloform

Specialized

1 8.2

A chemical made of carbon joined with elements like fluorine or chlorine

is specific to a single-carbon formula rather than any carbon-halogen compound

alkyl halide

vshaloform

Specialized

6.9

A chemical made when one hydrogen in an alkane is replaced by a halogen

is a specific type limited to a single carbon with three halogen atoms

haloalkane

vshaloform

Specialized

9.9

A chemical made when hydrogen atoms in a simple carbon chain are replaced by chlorine or bromine

is narrower, referring only to the molecule with formula CHX3

Surface Forms

haloform singular

haloforms plural

Morphology

haloform = form (semi-transparent) = halo + form

The combining form 'halo-' is a technical chemical morpheme meaning 'halogen-substituted', so while 'form' is common, the full chemical meaning requires specialized knowledge.

Etymology

Haloform is made of two parts: halo-, from a Greek word for 'salt' that we use for atoms like chlorine or bromine, and form, from a small chemical 'form' part. So a haloform is a simple chemical where halogen atoms sit on that little 'form', as in chloroform.