Where does “ether” come from?
Ether comes from Middle French ethere, from Old French aether, ultimately referring to the upper air or sky in classical cosmology.
ether (English): The substance formerly supposed to fill the upper...
Definitions
- The substance formerly supposed to fill the upper...
Ancestry of “ether”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | ēther | the "caelum aetherum" of ancient cosmology in... |
| 2 | Middle French | ethere | — |
| 3 | French | éther | ether |
| 4 | Latin | aetherius | Of or pertaining to the ether, the sky, or the... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | αἰθέριος | of or pertaining to the upper air; ethereal,... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | Αἰθήρ | Upper Air |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | αἴθω | To ignite, kindle, light; To burn, blaze |
| 8 | Proto-Hellenic | *áitʰō | to ignite |