Definition of ETHER (original) (raw)
1
a
: the rarefied element formerly believed to fill the upper regions of space
b
: the upper regions of space : heavens
2
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
3
a
or less commonly aether : a medium that in the wave theory of light permeates all space and transmits transverse waves
Examples of ether in a Sentence
The balloon disappeared into the ether.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Investors had abandoned ether for much of 2024, questioning its investment opportunity . —
Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 29 Nov. 2024 Today, that same magazine brand relies on random searchers to click a link before stopping by to grab a recipe then disappearing back into the digital ether. —Scott Donaton, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Lunde says that demand for leveraged long exposure to bitcoin and ether is climbing, with VolatilityShares’ BTC exposure hitting new all-time highs. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024 The latest: All that said, as of Monday ether's been on a bit of a run. —Brady Dale, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ether 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin aether, from Greek aithēr, from aithein to ignite, blaze; akin to Old English ād pyre — more at edify
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of ether was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near ether
Cite this Entry
“Ether.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ether. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.
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Last Updated: 8 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences
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