any of a class of organic compounds containing a hydroxyl group and a chlorine atom
2.
a colourless unstable hygroscopic liquid that is used mainly as a solvent; 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol. Formula: CH2OHCHOHCH2Cl
Word origin
C20: from chloro- + hydro- + -in
chlorohydrin in American English
(ˌklɔroʊˈhaɪˌdrɪn)
noun
any organic compound in which a hydroxyl group of a polyhydric alcohol has been replaced by a chlorine atom; esp., a colorless liquid, ClCH2CHOHCH2OH, prepared by the reaction of hydrochloric acid with glycerol and used in the manufacture of dyes and as a solvent