English
Ether
Ether comes from Latin aether ‘the upper pure, bright air’, from Ancient Greek αἴθω ‘to burn, shine’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eydʰ-.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂eydʰ-‘burn’reconstructed
- Proto-Hellenicc. 2200–1600 BCE*áitʰō‘to ignite’reconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEαἴθωaíthō‘to burn, shine’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEαἰθήρaithḗr‘upper air’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEaether‘the upper pure, bright air’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400ether
- EnglishtodayEther
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂eydʰ-‘burn’reconstructed
- Proto-Hellenicc. 2200–1600 BCE*áitʰō‘to ignite’reconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEαἴθωaíthō‘to burn, shine’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEαἰθήρaithḗr‘upper air’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEaether‘the upper pure, bright air’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400ether
- EnglishtodayEther
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *h₂eydʰ- ‘burn’
estuary, edifice, edification, 20 more
through Ancient Greek αἰθήρ ‘upper air’
Today it means
name The god-personification of the bright, glowing upper air of heaven. He is the Roman counterpart of Aether.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *h₂eydʰ- / Ether