1. Plural of aether; a clear, colorless, volatile liquid used as a solvent and anesthetic.
Usage: chemistry; historical medical use
2. Plural of aether; in classical and medieval philosophy, the fifth element or quintessence believed to fill the upper regions of space.
Usage: archaic; philosophy
3. Plural of aether; in physics, a hypothetical medium once thought to permeate space and transmit light waves.
Usage: archaic; physics history

Examples

• The chemist stored several bottles of aethers in the laboratory cabinet.
• In ancient times, philosophers believed aethers made up the heavens.
• Surgeons once used aethers as an anesthetic during operations.
• The theory of aethers as a light-transmitting medium was eventually disproven.
• Aethers evaporate quickly due to their volatile nature.