First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
ether
noun \ˈē-thər\
: a liquid that burns easily, that is used to turn solid substances into liquid, and that was used in medicine in the past to prevent patients from feeling pain during operations
the ether : the air : the sky
Full Definition of ETHER
1
a : the rarefied element formerly believed to fill the upper regions of space b : the upper regions of space : heavens
2
a also ae·ther : a medium that in the wave theory of light permeates all space and transmits transverse waves b : airwaves
3
a : a light volatile flammable liquid C4H10O used chiefly as a solvent and especially formerly as an anesthetic b : any of a class of organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom attached to two carbon atoms
— ethe·ric \i-ˈther-ik, -ˈthir-\ adjective
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Origin of ETHER
Middle English, from Latin aether, from Greek aithēr, from aithein to ignite, blaze; akin to Old English ād pyre — more at edify
ETHERIC Defined for Kids
ether
noun \ˈē-thər\
Definition of ETHER for Kids
: a light flammable liquid used to dissolve fats and especially in the past as an anesthetic
Medical Dictionary
ether
noun \ˈē-thər\
Medical Definition of ETHER
1
: a medium that in the wave theory of light permeates all space and transmits transverse waves
2
a : a light volatile flammable liquid C4H10O used especially formerly chiefly as an anesthetic—called also diethyl ether, ethyl ether, ethyl oxide b : any of various organic compounds characterized by an oxygen atom attached to two carbon atoms
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