Chloral \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)