Esters
ethereal salts formed by the reaction between an acid and an alcohol. For instance C2H5OH + HCI Alcohol Hydrochloric Acid C2H5Cl + Hâ‚‚O Ethyl Chloride Water Ethyl Chloride is the hydrochloric acid ester of ethyl alcohol. The change from an alcohol to an ester is never complete, because the reaction is reversible; that is to say, esters are decomposed by water, giving acid and alcohol. When an alcohol and an acid are mixed, therefore, the reaction illustrated above proceeds to a certain point until a balance, or equilibrium, is reached, the final product being a mixture of alcohol, acid, ester, and water. If, however, the water produced is removed, and so prevented from decomposing the ester, the reaction is far more nearly complete, and it is a common practice to employ, a dehydrating agent, such as sulphuric acid, which combines with the water as fast as it is formed. Esters are usually pleasant-smelling, colorless liquids, and the odor of flowers and fruits is frequently due to their presence. Many artificial flavorings, essences, and perfumes consist of esters. Some of the best known are methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) amyl acetate (banana or pear oil) methyl butyrate (pineapple oil) and isoamyl isovalerate (apple oil).
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Esther
2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) a Jewess who became the queen of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, and whose story is told in the book of the Old Testament called by her name. This book is supposed by some to be the composition of Mordecai himself, the uncle of the heroine. The feast of Purim, which commemorates the events narrated, is still observed by the Jews during the month Adar.
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Esthonia
a former maritime gov. ernment of Russia, bounded by the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic and the former governments of Livonia and Petrograd. It includes several islands, of which the most important are Dagoe and Oesel; area, 23,160 square miles. It has for the most part a flat or undulating surface. The whole of the N. side, however, rises considerably above the sea, and presents to it ranges of cliffs. The Narva, which merely bounds Esthonia on the E., is the only river of any importance; but minor streams, as well as small lakes, are very numerous. About a fourth of the surface is covered with forests of pine, birch, and alder. The crops include a little wheat, much barley and oats, and some flax, hops, and tobac- Cattle are reared, and active fishco. eries are carried on. The peasantry are almost all of Finnish origin, and speak a Finnish dialect. In the 10th and 12th centuries it belonged to Denmark; it was afterward annexed by Sweden, and in 1710 was seized by Russia. Reval is the capital. Pop. (1919) 1,744,000. On Feb. 24, 1918, the National Council of Esthonia declared for an independent state, which was recognized de facto by Great Britain. After the conclusion of the World War (1914-1918) the government of Esthonia was established.
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Estrada
a town of Spain, in the province of Pontevedra. It is on the Rio Ulla. It is the center of an extensive farming and stock-raising region, and has manufactures of woolen and linen goods. Pop. about 30,000.
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Estrada Cabrera
MANUEL, a president of Guatemala, born in Guatemala in 1857. He studied law and became a justice of the Supreme Court. In 1892 he was appointed Secretary of State. He became acting president in 1898, following the assassination of President Barrios, and was successively reelected, becoming actual dictator of the country. He did much in improving conditions in Guatemala, especially along agricultural and industrial lines. He was compelled to abdicate the presidency in 1920.
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Estremadura
a W. division of Spain, consisting of the provinces of Badajoz and Caceres. It is fertile, but not cultivated to its full extent. The Tagus and Guadiana intersect it E: to W. Immense flocks of sheep graze on the rich plains. The area is about 16,100 square miles. Pop. 882,000.
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Estremadura
a maritime province of Portugal, divided by the Tagus into two nearly equal parts, of which the N. is the more mountainous. Wines and olives are the principal produce. The principal city is Lisbon. Area, Area, 6,937 square miles. Pop. about 1,250,000.
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Estuary
the wide mouth of a river opening out so as to form an arm of the sea.
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Etawah
a town in Hindustan, Northwest provinces; capital of the district of the same name on the left bank of the Jumna, picturesquely situated among ravines, and richly planted with trees. It has some good buildings and a considerable trade.
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Eternal City, The
The. See Rome ; Caine ; Hall
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Etesiae
The Etesian Winds, derived from the Greek word meaning "year," signified any periodical winds, but more particularly the northerly winds which blow in the Aegean for forty days from the rising of the dog star. Etruria or Tuscia. Called by the Greeks Tyrrhenia or Tyrsenia. A country in central Italy. Euboea (Negropont). The largest island of the Aegean Sea , about ninety miles in length, lying along the coasts of Attica , Boeotia , and the southern part of Thessaly, from which countries it is separated by the Euboean Sea, called the Euripus in its narrowest part.
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Ethelbert (King of England son)
King of England, son of Ethelwulf, succeeded to the government of the E. side of the kingdom in 857, and in 860, on the death of his brother, Ethelbald, became sole king. His reign was much disturbed by the inroads of the Danes. He died in 866. ETHELRED I., King of England, son of Ethelwulf, succeeded his brother Ethelbert in 866. The Danes became so formidable in his reign as to threaten the conquest of the whole kingdom. Ethelred died in consequence of a wound received in an action with the Danes in 871, and was succeeded by his brother Alfred. ETHELRED II., King of England, son of Edgar; born 968; succeeded his brother, Edward the Martyr, in 978, and, for his want of vigor and capacity, was surnamed the Unready. In his reign began the practice of buying off the Danes by presents of money. After repeated payments of tribute he effected, in 1002, a massacre of the Danes; but this led to Sweyn gathering a large force together and carrying fire and sword through the country. They were again bribed to depart; bu but, upon a new invasion, Sweyn obliged the nobles to swear allegiance to him as King of England; while Ethelred, in 1013, fled to Normandy. On the death of Sweyn he was invited to resume the government, and died in London in the midst of his struggle with Canute (1016).
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