ether

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   The substance formerly supposed to fill the upper regions of the atmosphere above the…

   The substance formerly supposed to fill the upper regions of the atmosphere above the clouds, in particular as a medium breathed by deities.

   • On Wings the Birds through Æther glide, / And Fiſhes cut with Fins the Tide.
   • Of the mysterious world, that come to me From the elements of Fire and Earth and Water, And the all-nourishing Ether!
2. 2

   Often as aether and more fully as luminiferous aether

   Often as aether and more fully as luminiferous aether: The hypothetical substance permeating space, functioning as a medium for electromagnetic waves to propagate through, and which does not exert resistance to the movement of matter; its existence is incompatible with Einstein's theory of relativity; famously found to be undetectable by the 1887 Michelson–Morley experiment.

3. 3

   The atmosphere or space as a medium for broadcasting radio and television signals

   The atmosphere or space as a medium for broadcasting radio and television signals; also, a notional space through which Internet and other digital communications take place; cyberspace.

   • H. P. Lovecraft, At the Mountains of Madness He held some friendly chat with Pabodie over the ether, and repeated his praise of the really marvelous drills that had helped him make his discovery.
4. ›+ 10 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A particular quality created by or surrounding an object, person, or place

      A particular quality created by or surrounding an object, person, or place; an atmosphere, an aura.

      • The luminous æther of his life was not obſcured by any ſhade dark enough to be denominated a defect.
   2. 5

      Diethyl ether (C₄H₁₀O), an organic compound with a sweet odour used in the past as an…

      Diethyl ether (C₄H₁₀O), an organic compound with a sweet odour used in the past as an anaesthetic.

      • The only thing that really worried me was the ether. There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge.
   3. 6

      Any of a class of organic compounds containing an oxygen atom bonded to two hydrocarbon…

      Any of a class of organic compounds containing an oxygen atom bonded to two hydrocarbon groups.

   4. 7

      Starting fluid.

   5. 8

      To viciously humiliate or insult.

      • The battle rapper ethered his opponent and caused him to slink away in shame.
      • Cory Barker: Game of Thrones is the easiest answer for me, but MaryAnn [Sleasman] did a fine job of ethering that overrated hunk of junk, so I'm free to take a few shots at Sherlock.
   6. 9

      Alternative form of edder.

      • The labourer still sits under the lew (hleow, or "hleowð," shelter, warmth) of the hedge, which has has been ethering ("eðer," a hedge); […]
   7. 10

      Alternative letter-case form of Ether.

      • Gas is not ether–it's a separate virtual currency with its own exchange rate against ether.
   8. 11

      The god-personification of the bright, glowing upper air of heaven. He is the Roman…

      The god-personification of the bright, glowing upper air of heaven. He is the Roman counterpart of Aether.

   9. 12

      A unit of the Ethereum digital currency, ETH.

      • After more than 30 bids, the auction ended at 12:32 p.m. Eastern time, with a winning bid of 350 Ether, or about $560,000.
   10. 13

       The ancient American prophet of Mormon theology who wrote the Book of Ether in the Book…

       The ancient American prophet of Mormon theology who wrote the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon.

The neighborhood

• neighboraetherial
• neighboraetheric
• neighborethereal
• neighboretherealisation
• neighboretherealization
• neighboretherealise
• neighboretherealize
• neighborethereality
• neighborethereally
• neighboretherealness
• neighborfirmament
• neighborwelkin