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Noun: ether  ee-thu(r)
  1. Any of a class of organic compounds that have two hydrocarbon groups linked by an oxygen atom
    "Diethyl ether was once commonly used as an anaesthetic"
     
  2. A colourless volatile highly flammable liquid formerly used as an inhalation anaesthetic
    "ether was once commonly used in surgeries but has been replaced by safer alternatives"; "divinyl ether was once commonly used in surgeries but has been replaced by safer alternatives"; "vinyl ether was once commonly used in surgeries but has been replaced by safer alternatives"; "diethyl ether was once commonly used in surgeries but has been replaced by safer alternatives"; "ethyl ether was once commonly used in surgeries but has been replaced by safer alternatives";
    - ethoxyethane, divinyl ether, vinyl ether, diethyl ether, ethyl ether
     
  3. A cryptocurrency within the Ethereum protocol
    "He invested in ether during the crypto boom";
    - Ether, ETH
     
  4. A medium that was once supposed to fill all space and to support the propagation of electromagnetic waves
    "Scientists in the 19th century believed light waves travelled through the ether";
    - aether [archaic]
     
  5. [archaic] The fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies
    "Some alchemists sought to isolate the ether";
    - quintessence [archaic]

Derived forms: ethers

Type of: crypto [informal], cryptocurrency, element, inhalation anaesthetic, inhalation anesthetic, inhalation general anaesthetic, inhalation general anesthetic, medium, organic compound

Encyclopedia: Ether