ether

Ether is defined as a clear, flammable liquid used as an aesthetic, or the upper sky beyond the clouds.

(noun)

A clear liquid used as anesthetic is an example of ether.
When a balloon floats up high into the sky and disappears beyond the clouds, this is an example of a situation where it disappears into the ether.

See ether in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a substance hypothesized by the ancients as filling all space beyond the sphere of the moon, and making up the stars and planets
the upper regions of space; clear sky
Rare the air
Chem. any of a series of organic compounds having an oxygen atom linking two carbon atoms from two hydrocarbon radicals, generally ROR; esp., ethyl ether, a volatile, colorless, highly flammable liquid, HCOCH, prepared by the reaction of sulfuric acid and ethyl alcohol and used as an anesthetic and a solvent for resins and fats
Physics a hypothetical diffuse, invisible medium formerly thought to pervade space and transmit light, heat, etc.

Origin: ME < L aether < Gr aithēr < aithein, to kindle, burn < IE base *aidh- > L aestas, summer, OE ætan, to burn

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See ether in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of a class of organic compounds in which two hydrocarbon groups are linked by an oxygen atom.
A volatile, highly flammable liquid, C₂H₅OC₂H₅, derived from the distillation of ethyl alcohol with sulfuric acid and used as a reagent and solvent. It was formerly used as an anesthetic. Also called diethyl ether, ethyl ether.
The regions of space beyond the earth's atmosphere; the heavens.
The element believed in ancient and medieval civilizations to fill all space above the sphere of the moon and to compose the stars and planets.
Physics An all-pervading, infinitely elastic, massless medium formerly postulated as the medium of propagation of electromagnetic waves.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, upper air

Origin: , from Latin aethēr

Origin: , from Greek aithēr

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