ether

• Nom désignant soit un milieu théorique que l'on croyait autrefois remplir l'espace et transmettre les ondes lumineuses, soit un composé chimique volatil utilisé comme solvant ou anesthésique.

A noun referring to a theoretical medium once believed to permeate space and transmit light waves, or a volatile chemical compound used as a solvent or anesthetic.

indénombrable

1. Chemical compoundC1formalscientific

   A volatile, highly flammable liquid used as an anesthetic and solvent.

   éther

   • The chemist stored the ether in a sealed container.
   • Ether was historically used as a general anesthetic during surgery.
   • The laboratory uses diethyl ether as a solvent for organic reactions.

   Synonymesdiethyl etherethoxyethaneethyl ether

2. Physics conceptC2formalscientific

   A hypothetical medium formerly believed to fill all space and transmit electromagnetic waves.

   Éther (physique)

   • 19th-century physicists proposed the existence of the luminiferous ether.
   • The Michelson-Morley experiment failed to detect the ether.
   • Einstein's theory of relativity eliminated the need for the ether concept.

   Synonymesaether

3. Poetic or literary termC2formal

   The clear sky; the upper regions of air beyond the clouds.

   éther (sens poétique/littéraire)

   • The birds soared into the ether.
   • The poet wrote of the ether as a realm of pure light.
   • The stars twinkled in the vast ether above.

   Synonymesazureblueempyreanfirmamentskywelkin