chlorine
UK: ˈklɔːriːn | US: ˈklɔːriːn
n. A chemical element (symbol Cl) with atomic number 17, a toxic, greenish-yellow gas used for disinfection and bleaching.
chlor<green> + ine<chemical suffix>
- chlor: From Greek khlōros (greenish-yellow), referencing the gas’s color.
- ine: A suffix used in chemistry to name elements (e.g., bromine, fluorine).
Etymology Origin:
The word chlorine (later shortened to chlorine) was coined in 1810 by Sir Humphry Davy, who isolated the element. He derived it from Greek khlōros due to its distinctive color. The suffix -ine aligns with naming conventions for halogens, emphasizing its chemical properties.
Chlorine is commonly added to swimming pools to kill bacteria.
The smell of chlorine is strong in newly cleaned laundry.
Exposure to high levels of chlorine gas can be hazardous.
Water treatment plants use chlorine to ensure safe drinking water.
Sodium reacts violently with chlorine to form table salt (NaCl).