Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
ether
noun
/ˈiːθər/
Definition
A colorless, volatile liquid used primarily as a solvent and anesthetic.
Examples
- The doctor used ether to put the patient to sleep before surgery.
- In the laboratory, ether was used to dissolve the organic compounds.
- The smell of ether can be quite strong and penetrating.
Meaning
Ether refers to a class of organic compounds that include an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups. It is often associated with its use in early anesthesia and as a solvent in laboratories.
Synonyms
- anesthetic
- solvent
- etherial compound
