[f. prec. sb.]
1. trans. To administer chloroform to; to render insensible by means of chloroform; to apply chloroform to (a thing), soak with chloroform.
1848. Sir J. Simpson, in Lancet, 1 July, 39/2. I had successfully chloroformed several of the lower animals.
1858. O. W. Holmes, Aut. Breakf.-t., 316. She should be tenderly chloroformed into a better world.
1885. Daily News, 15 Dec., 6/3. It was alleged that he chloroformed her.
2. transf. and fig. To render insensible.
1849. Sir F. B. Head, Stokers & Pokers, vii. (1851), 62. We now chloroform all kindly feelings.
1864. Sir F. Palgrave, Norm. & Eng., IV. 381. If we chloroform ourselves against the painful perception [of human sorrows].
1882. Chr. World Pulpit, XXI. 25. The cold chloroforming them into an unconsciousness.
Hence Chloroformed ppl. a., Chloroforming vbl. sb.
1848. Sir J. Simpson, in Lancet, July, 41/2. The chloroformed hand.
1865. Pall Mall Gaz., 12 Oct., 10/1. Hold the chloroformed cloth close to his nose.
1883. Standard, 22 March, 5/5. [They] had pleaded guilty of the chloroforming and robbery.
