Ethelbert (King of Kent born about He)
King of Kent; born about 560. He succeeded his father, Hermenric, and reduced all the Anglo- Saxon states, except Northumberland, to the condition of his dependents. Ethelbert married Bertha, the daughter of Caribert, King of Paris, and a Christian princess, an event which led indirectly to the introduction of Christianity into England by St. Augustine. Ethelbert was the first Anglo-Saxon king to draw up a code of laws. He died 616.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ethelwulfe
King of England, succeeded his father, Egbert, about 837. His reign was in great measure occupied in repelling Danish incursions; but he is best remembered for his donation to the clergy, which is often quoted as the origin of the system of tithes. He died 857.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ethendun
BATTLE OF, the victory wh which Alfred the Great gained over the Danes (878), and which led to the treaty with Guthrum, the Danish King of East England. The locality is doubtful.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ether
in physics and astronomy, the name given to the substance which it is assumed fills all space beyond our atmosphere. It is thought that light is a vibration of ether. It is thought also that heat, gravity, and electricity are dependent upon ether for their existence as forces of nature. No one knows exactly the nature of this stellar or cosmic ether, and some scientists reject the idea of its existence. Its acceptance has been brought about because it offers a satisfactory explanation of the phenomena of radiation, refraction, diffraction, and polarization of light.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Ether
Important: Safety Warning This page describes the casual use of chloroform, ether, or similar anesthetics. These substances can kill by respiratory arrest with little warning and must never be used outside a medical setting. In addition, this page describes practices involving highly flammable materials in ways that create a serious risk of fire or explosion. In addition, this page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes. This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon. in the ordinary use of the word, a light, colorless liquid having a refreshing odor and a sweetish, burning taste. It evaporates rapidly. It is so inflammable that it is classed as an explosive. It is a union of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is prepared by distilling a mixture of five parts of alcohol with nine parts of sulphuric acid. When a little of it is poured out in the palm of the hand it evaporates quickly, leaving a cold sensation. During evaporation it absorbs heat so rapidly that a fine spray of ether may be used to freeze, that is to say, harden, the tissues for the dissector's knife. The fumes of ether are used by surgeons to produce unconsciousness. See Cholroform; Surgery
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Ether
or ÆTHER, a medium filling The ether seems to be of all space. the nature of an elastic solid, and, in order to account for the immense rapidity of its vibrations when radiation passes through it, its rigidity must be excessivel sively large compared with its density. It may be asked, how, if this be so, the earth can move through the ether at the rate of nearly a million miles per day. But, if we consider that shoemaker's wax is so brittle a solid that it splinters under the blow of a hammer and that it yet flows slowly like a liquid into the crevices of a vessel in which it is placed, and that bullets sink slowly down through it, and corks float slowly up through it, the motion of the earth through the ether does not seem so in- From magneto-optic comprehensible. phenomena it seems certain that something of the nature of molecular rotation is going on in the ether.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ethers
compounds containing two alkyl groups, which may be identical or different, united to an oxygen atom. For instance, methyl ether has the formula CH3.O.CH3, and consists of the two identical methyl groups, CHs, united to the oxygen atom. Methyl ethyl ether has the formula CH3.O.C2H5, the alkyl groups in this case being different. Methyl ether is a gas, but all other ethers are mobile, volatile, inflammable liquids. The best known is ethyl ether, C2H5.O.C2H5, sometimes known as sulphuric ether, and this is the ether used in surgery as an anæsthetic. It is prepared from alcohol, by heating with sulphuric acid, ethyl hydrogen sulphate being first produced, this compound reacting with more alcohol to yield ether and sulphuric acid. Sulphuric ether is a colorless liquid, boiling gravity at 35° C, and having a specific ific of 0.720. It is highly inflammable, and its vapor forms an explosive mixture with air. Its odor to some is pleasant, but to those on whom it has been used as an anesthetic it is apt, afterward, to produce nausea. Large quantities of it are used in the manufacture of smokeless powder and as a solvent for fats, resins, alkaloids, etc.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ethical Culture Society
an organization founded in New York in 1876 by Dr. Felix Adler for the purpose of associating together those who because of antagonism to traditional creeds and ceremonies had drifted away from organized churches and synagogues. His purpose was to promote the moral development of society and the individual by emphasis upon the humanitarian impulses of men and women and by holding up a high moral standard of conduct. Meetings of the society were held on Sundays and an address on some social or economic question was made. The moral aspect of the problem was stressed. The importance which the society placed on education led them to establish the New York Ethical Culture School. This school, providing elementary and secondary instruction, was among the first to assign to manual training an important role in the elementary education. In 1882 a similar society for ethical culture was formed in Chicago, and three years later an organization was effected in Philadelphia. By 1915 they numbered in membership 2,500, being confined mostly to the large cities. Societies have also been formed in England and Germany.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia