Ether

n.	1.	(Physics) A medium of great elasticity and extreme tenuity, once supposed to pervade all space, the interior of solid bodies not excepted, and to be the medium of transmission of light and heat; hence often called luminiferous ether. It is no longer believed that such a medium is required for the transmission of electromagnetic waves; the modern use of the term is mostly a figurative term for empty space, or for literary effect, and not intended to imply the actual existence of a physical medium. However. modern cosmological theories based on quantum field theory do not rule out the possibility that the inherent energy of the vacuum is greater than zero, in which case the concept of an ether pervading the vacuum may have more than metaphoric meaning.
	2.	Supposed matter above the air; the air itself.
	3.	(Chem.) A light, volatile, mobile, inflammable liquid, (C2H5)2O, of a characteristic aromatic odor, obtained by the distillation of alcohol with sulphuric acid, and hence called also sulphuric ether. It is a powerful solvent of fats, resins, and pyroxylin, but finds its chief use as an anæsthetic. Commonly called ethyl ether to distinguish it from other ethers, and also ethyl oxide. Complex ether (Chem.) an ether in which the ether oxygen is attached to two radicals having different structures; as, ethyl methyl ether, C2H5.O.CH3. Compound ether (Chem.) an ethereal salt or a salt of some hydrocarbon as the base; an ester. Ether engine (Mach.) a condensing engine like a steam engine, but operated by the vapor of ether instead of by steam.

Noun	1.	ether - a colorless volatile highly inflammable liquid formerly used as an inhalation anesthetic Synonyms: diethyl ether, divinyl ether, ethoxyethane, ethyl ether, vinyl ether
	2.	ether - the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies Synonyms: quintessence
	3.	ether - any of a class of organic compounds that have two hydrocarbon groups linked by an oxygen atom
	4.	ether - a medium that was once supposed to fill all space and to support the propagation of electromagnetic waves Synonyms: aether

(language)

ETHER - A concurrent object-oriented language?

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