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Webster 1913 Edition


Ethereal

E-the′re-al

,
Adj.
1.
Pertaining to the hypothetical upper, purer air, or to the higher regions beyond the earth or beyond the atmosphere; celestial;
as,
ethereal
space;
ethereal
regions.
Go, heavenly guest,
ethereal
messenger.
Milton.
2.
Consisting of ether; hence, exceedingly light or airy; tenuous; spiritlike; characterized by extreme delicacy, as form, manner, thought, etc.
Vast chain of being, which from God began,
Natures
ethereal
, human, angel, man.
Pope.
3.
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, ether;
as,
ethereal
salts
.
Ethereal oil
.
(Chem.)
See
Essential oil
, under
Essential
.
–
Ethereal oil of wine
(Chem.)
,
a heavy, yellow, oily liquid consisting essentially of etherin, etherol, and ethyl sulphate. It is the oily residuum left after etherification. Called also
heavy oil of wine
(distinguished from oil of wine, or œnanthic ether).
–
Ethereal salt
(Chem.)
,
a salt of some organic radical as a base; an ester.

Webster 1828 Edition


Ethereal

ETHE'REAL

,
Adj.
Formed of ether; containing or filled with ether; as ethereal space; ethereal regions.
1.
Heavenly; celestial; as ethereal messenger.
2.
Consisting of ether or spirit.
Vast chain of being, which from God began,
Natures ethereal, human, angel, man.