[ˈiːθər]

Definitions

1. noun

A hypothetical, invisible substance that was once thought to be a fundamental element, now considered to be a vacuum or the space surrounding the Earth.

“The concept of ether was a central idea in the scientific thought of the 19th century.”

2. noun

A subtle, elusive, or intangible quality.

“The film had a mysterious, otherworldly ether that captivated the audience.”

3. noun

A state of being or feeling that is detached from the physical world.

“The artist’s ether was reflected in her dreamlike paintings.”

4. noun

A hypothetical substance thought to be a luminiferous medium for light, now considered to be a vacuum or the space surrounding the Earth.

“The 19th-century scientists believed that ether was necessary for the propagation of light.”

5. verb

To make something seem more mysterious or otherworldly.

“The director ethered the scene with an eerie soundtrack.”