Definition of "chloral"

chloral

/ˈklɔːɹæl/

noun
usually uncountable, plural chlorals
1. A colourless narcotic liquid, trichloroacetaldehyde, CCl3CHO, obtained at first by the action of chlorine on alcohol and that, when treated with water, produces chloral hydrate.
  Quotations
  ‘They say there is a skeleton in every cupboard,’ Rossetti said quietly, ‘and that's mine; it's chloral.’ Caine was shocked but forbore to comment.
  1997, Vivien Allen, Hall Caine: Portrait of a Victorian Romancer, A&C Black, page 100