E’ther, n.

noun

[Fr. éther, Lat. æther, Gr. αἰθήρ, from αἴθειν, to light up, kindle, to burn or blaze; Pr. ether, It. etere.]

(Physics.) An hypothetical medium of great elasticity and extreme tenuity, supposed to pervade all space, the interior of solid bodies not excepted, and to be the medium of transmission of light and heat.
(Chem.) A very light, volatile, and inflammable fluid, produced by the distillation of alcohol, or rectified spirit of wine, with sulphuric acid. It is lighter than alcohol, of a peculiar penetrating odor, and has a pungent, cooling, aromatic taste.
Supposed matter above the air; the air itself.