chlorine

plural chlorines · alternative obsolete chlorin

1. uncountableusuallyA toxic, green, gaseous chemical element (symbol Cl) with an atomic number of 17.

   When TCCA touches a small amount of water and doesn’t dissolve, “it can experience a chemical reaction, generating heat and causing the decomposition of the chemical, which in turn produces toxic chlorine gas and can produce explosive nitrogen trichloride,” a 2023 report by the CSB said.

   2024 November 24, Chris Boyette, “Investigators release update on BioLab chemical plant fire probe”, in CNN

   Synonyms: E925

2. countableusuallyA single atom of this element.
3. countableusuallyA chlorine-based bleach or disinfectant.

   Chlorines are useful for disinfecting water and for housekeeping disinfectants.

   1989, Carol Taylor, Carol Lillis, Priscilla LeMone, Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Nursing Care, J. B. Lippincott Company, →ISBN, page 513

   2 more examples

   The mechanism involved in the explosive reaction between swimming pool chlorine (calcium hypochlorite) and brake fluid (polyethylene glycol), a possible improvised explosive mixture, has been studied by means of the gaseous products produced.

   1982, Richard Saferstein, editor, Forensic Science Handbook, volume III, Regents/Prentice Hall, →ISBN, page 154

   Of the chemical solutions, chlorine tablets will kill many pathogens, but not some parasites like giardia and amoebic cysts.

   2000, Frances Linzee Gordon, Ethiopia, Eritrea & Djibouti, Lonely Planet Publications, →ISBN, page 85