ether

B2 Topic:Science & Research

Also spelled aether

US /ˈi.θɚ/ UK /ˈiː.θə/ See IPA manual

Freq #16966

Meanings

1

noun
a substance once thought to fill space and carry light or electromagnetic waves

Scientists once explained light as moving through the ether.
2

noun
a volatile liquid once used as an anesthetic

The old surgery notes mentioned ether.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a substance once thought to... aether

Word family

Derived forms ethereal

Related forms anestheticelement air

Etymology

From Latin aether and Greek aither, 'upper air'. The spelling aether preserves the older classical form.

ēther Middle English ether Middle French aether Old French aethēr Latin αἰθήρ Ancient Greek *h₂eydʰ- Proto-Indo-European

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Topics

Science & Research

External links

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