sulphuric ether

sulphuric ether
Ether E"ther ([=e]"th[~e]r), n. [L. aether, Gr. a'iqh`r, fr. a'i`qein to light up, kindle, burn, blaze; akin to Skr. idh, indh, and prob. to E. idle: cf. F. ['e]ther.] [Written also {[ae]ther}.] 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. [1913 Webster +PJC]

2. Supposed matter above the air; the air itself. [1913 Webster]

3. (Chem.) (a) 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 an[ae]sthetic. Commonly called {ethyl ether} to distinguish it from other ethers, and also {ethyl oxide}. (b) Any similar compound in which an oxygen atom is bound to two different carbon atoms, each of which is part of an organic radical; as, amyl ether; valeric ether; methyl ethyl ether. The general formular for an ether is {ROR'}, in which R and R' are organic radicals which may be of similar or different structure. If R and R' are different parts of the same organic radical, the structure forms a cyclic ether. [1913 Webster +PJC]

{Complex ether}, {Mixed 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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Sulphuric ether — Sulphuric Sul*phu ric, a. [Cf. F. sulfurique.] 1. Of or pertaining to sulphur; as, a sulphuric smell. [1913 Webster] 2. (Chem.) Derived from, or containing, sulphur; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a higher… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sulphuric ether — Spirit Spir it, n. [OF. espirit, esperit, F. esprit, L. spiritus, from spirare to breathe, to blow. Cf. {Conspire}, {Expire}, {Esprit}, {Sprite}.] 1. Air set in motion by breathing; breath; hence, sometimes, life itself. [Obs.] All of spirit… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sulphuric ether — Naphtha Naph tha (n[a^]f th[.a] or n[a^]p th[.a]), n. [L. naphtha, Gr. na fqa, fr.Ar. nafth, nifth.] 1. (Chem.) The complex mixture of volatile, liquid, inflammable hydrocarbons, occurring naturally, and usually called {crude petroleum}, {mineral …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sulphuric ether — /sʌlˌfjurɪk ˈiθə/ (say sul.fyoohrik eethuh) noun → ether (def. 1a). Also, sulfuric ether …  

  • Sulphuric — Sul*phu ric, a. [Cf. F. sulfurique.] 1. Of or pertaining to sulphur; as, a sulphuric smell. [1913 Webster] 2. (Chem.) Derived from, or containing, sulphur; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a higher valence as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sulphuric acid — Sulphuric Sul*phu ric, a. [Cf. F. sulfurique.] 1. Of or pertaining to sulphur; as, a sulphuric smell. [1913 Webster] 2. (Chem.) Derived from, or containing, sulphur; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a higher… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sulphuric anhydride — Sulphuric Sul*phu ric, a. [Cf. F. sulfurique.] 1. Of or pertaining to sulphur; as, a sulphuric smell. [1913 Webster] 2. (Chem.) Derived from, or containing, sulphur; specifically, designating those compounds in which the element has a higher… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ether — E ther ([=e] th[ e]r), n. [L. aether, Gr. a iqh r, fr. a i qein to light up, kindle, burn, blaze; akin to Skr. idh, indh, and prob. to E. idle: cf. F. [ e]ther.] [Written also {[ae]ther}.] 1. (Physics) A medium of great elasticity and extreme… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ether engine — Ether E ther ([=e] th[ e]r), n. [L. aether, Gr. a iqh r, fr. a i qein to light up, kindle, burn, blaze; akin to Skr. idh, indh, and prob. to E. idle: cf. F. [ e]ther.] [Written also {[ae]ther}.] 1. (Physics) A medium of great elasticity and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ether — /ˈiθə / (say eethuh) noun 1. Chemistry a. a highly volatile and flammable colourless liquid, diethyl ether, (C2H5)2O, obtained by the action of sulphuric acid on alcohol, and used as a solvent and anaesthetic; sulphuric ether. b. one of a class… …  

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