etheric

American  

[ih-ther-ik, ih-theer-] / ɪˈθɛr ɪk, ɪˈθɪər- /

Also aetheric

adjective

1. of or relating to the chemical ether.

   Efficient and selective cleavage of etheric carbon-oxygen bonds is crucial for converting biomass into liquid transportation fuels.

2. of or relating to ether, a substance believed by the ancients to fill the upper regions of space.

   Across the top of the fresco, the artist depicts allegorical representations of the planets orbiting the heavens on a rainbow ring within the etheric clouds.

3. Physics. of or relating to ether, a hypothetical substance postulated to occupy all space.

   The etheric hypothesis was effectively disproven by Einstein’s theory of relativity.

4. of or relating to the heavens or a spiritual world or plane of existence.

   Souls exist in the vast domain diversely referred to by mystics and theologians as the etheric realm, heaven, or the afterlife.

5. of or relating to a person’s aura, a quality or atmosphere seen as emanating from someone.

   The gemstones in this pendant were chosen to enhance the body's own etheric field.

6. Rare. ethereal.

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Etymology

Origin of etheric

ether ( def. ) + -ic

Example Sentences

He shares it the way an arranger shares his manner of hearing a song, as texture and sequence, an etheric demeanor made material.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2024

We all write more sentences now than ever, but how hard do we think about the shape of these etheric objects?

From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2019

How then do I navigate that welter of warring opinion and etheric turbulence?

From Salon • Jul. 12, 2019

When I return, the service is being led by Gallion, who, in the span of 20 minutes, talks about etheric doubles, Atlantis and the caste system.

From Washington Post • May 22, 2015

Gerald Black had taken his degree in etheric physics the year before and, in common with his entire generation of physicists, found himself engaged in the problem of the Drive.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov