Search Result for "ethereal": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (4)

1. characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air;
- Example: "figures light and aeriform come unlooked for and melt away"- Thomas Carlyle
- Example: "aerial fancies"
- Example: "an airy apparition"
- Example: "physical rather than ethereal forms"
[syn: aeriform, aerial, airy, aery, ethereal]

2. of or containing or dissolved in ether;
- Example: "ethereal solution"

3. of heaven or the spirit;
- Example: "celestial peace"
- Example: "ethereal melodies"
- Example: "the supernal happiness of a quiet death"
[syn: celestial, ethereal, supernal]

4. characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy;
- Example: "this smallest and most ethereal of birds"
- Example: "gossamer shading through his playing"
[syn: ethereal, gossamer]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Ethereal \E*the"re*al\, a.
   1. Pertaining to the hypothetical upper, purer air, or to the
      higher regions beyond the earth or beyond the atmosphere;
      celestial; as, ethereal space; ethereal regions.
      [1913 Webster]

            Go, heavenly guest, ethereal messenger. --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Consisting of ether; hence, exceedingly light or airy;
      tenuous; spiritlike; characterized by extreme delicacy, as
      form, manner, thought, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

            Vast chain of being, which from God began,
            Natures ethereal, human, angel, man.  --Pope.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, ether;
      as, ethereal salts.
      [1913 Webster]

   Ethereal oil. (Chem.) See Essential oil, under
      Essential.

   Ethereal oil of wine (Chem.), a heavy, yellow, oily liquid
      consisting essentially of etherin, etherol, and ethyl
      sulphate. It is the oily residuum left after
      etherification. Called also heavy oil of wine
      (distinguished from oil of wine, or [oe]nanthic ether).

   Ethereal salt (Chem.), a salt of some organic radical as a
      base; an ester.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

ethereal
    adj 1: characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as
           impalpable or intangible as air; "figures light and
           aeriform come unlooked for and melt away"- Thomas
           Carlyle; "aerial fancies"; "an airy apparition";
           "physical rather than ethereal forms" [syn: aeriform,
           aerial, airy, aery, ethereal]
    2: of or containing or dissolved in ether; "ethereal solution"
    3: of heaven or the spirit; "celestial peace"; "ethereal
       melodies"; "the supernal happiness of a quiet death" [syn:
       celestial, ethereal, supernal]
    4: characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy; "this
       smallest and most ethereal of birds"; "gossamer shading
       through his playing" [syn: ethereal, gossamer]