aether

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun personification of the sky or upper air breathed by the Olympians; son of Erebus and night or of Chaos and darkness
noun a medium that was once supposed to fill all space and to support the propagation of electromagnetic waves

Here in an aether more clear now a luster encircles my forehead. — Erotica Romana, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Thou, who canst guide the wandering star Through trackless realms of aether's space; Who calm'st the elemental war, Whose hand from pole to pole I trace: Thou, who in wisdom placed me here, Who, when thou wilt, canst take me hence, Ah! while I tread this earthly sphere, Extend to me thy wide defence. — My Recollections of Lord Byron, Teresa, contessa di Guiccioli
Such, O Dick! is the fragrant aether we breathe in the polite assemblies of Bath--Such is the atmosphere I have exchanged for the pure, elastic, animating air of the Welsh mountains--O Rus, quando te aspiciam!---I wonder what the devil possessed me-- But few words are best: I have taken my resolution--You may well suppose I don’t intend to entertain the company with a second exhibition--I have promised, in an evil hour, to proceed to London, and that promise shall be performed, but my stay in the metropolis shall be brief. — The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, T. (Tobias) Smollett

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