Chem. [Named by Sir H. Davy in 1810, from its color; f. Gr. χλωρός yellowish or light green + -INE3, Gr. -ινη, a feminine patronymic and derivative suffix. In F. chlore, Ger. chlor (without any suffix).]
1. One of the non-metallic elements; a yellowish-green heavy gas (condensable by pressure into a yellow transparent liquid), having a peculiar irritating smell, and very active chemical properties. Symbol Cl; atomic weight, 35·5.
It is not found free in nature, but is widely distributed in its compounds, chiefly in the chloride of sodium (common salt). The simple element was obtained by Scheele in 1774, but was at first supposed to be a compound body (oxymuriatic acid); its elementary nature was established by Davy in 1809–10. It has powerful bleaching and disinfectant qualities, and supports the combustion of many bodies. With bromine, iodine and fluorine, it forms an important group of elements resembling each other in properties and compounds.
1810. (15 Nov.) Davy, in Trans. Royal Soc. (1811), 32. It has been judged most proper … to call it Chlorine, or Chloric gas. Ibid. (1813), Agric. Chem. (1814), 44–5. Chlorine may be produced by heating together a mixture of sprits of salt or muriatic acid, and manganese.
1826. Henry, Elem. Chem., I. 210. Chlorine was discovered by Scheele … and first described by him … under the name of dephlogisticated marine acid. It was afterwards termed in the French nomenclature oxygenated or oxygenized muriatic acid, and by Dr. Pearson oxymuriatic acid.
1830. Sir J. Herschel, Study Nat. Phil., 56. The discovery of the disinfectant powers of chlorine.
1863–72. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 901. Chlorine, by combining with hydrogen or a metal, acts indirectly as an oxidising agent. Chlorine destroys the colour of most organic pigments.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 109. Chlorine is largely used as a bleaching agent.
fig. 1838. Emerson, Address, Wks. (Bohn), II. 192. The religious sentiment … is the embalmer of the world. It is myrrh and storax, and chlorine, and rosemary.
2. attrib.; esp. in names of compounds, where it is = chloric, chlorous, of chlorine; as chlorine monoxide (hypochlorous anhydride), Cl2 O, a pale reddish gas, with powerful bleaching properties; chlorine tetroxide (perchloric oxide), Cl2 O4, a deep yellow explosive gas condensable to an exceedingly explosive yellowish liquid; chlorine trioxide (chlorous oxide or anhydride), Cl2 O3, a yellowish-green explosive gas, liquefiable by extreme cold; so chlorine sulphide, bisulphide, selenide, etc.
1859. Todd, Cycl. Anat., V. 104/1. On the addition of chlorine-water.
1860. Piesse, Lab. Chem. Wonders, 97. Chlorine gas.
1873. Watts, Fownes’ Chem., 186. Chlorine tetroxide has a powerful odour. Ibid., 198. By decomposing chlorine bisulphide.
1880. J. W. Legg, Bile, 33. With chlorine vapour.
1881. Williamson, in Nature, No. 618. 416. With this knowledge of the molecular constitution of hydrogen and of chlorine gases.
