subether

English

Alternative forms

• sub-ether

Etymology

From sub- +‎ ether.

Noun

subether (countable and uncountable, plural subethers)

1. (science fiction) A fictional medium through which faster-than-light signals are able to travel.
   • 1996, Michael Kandel, Panda Ray, New York, N.Y.: St. Martin's Press, →ISBN, page 134:

     Her instrument panel was dead, not a single light across the con- sole on. Evidently the bdellium dish wasn't working. Either that, or the subether was still. Though the subether was never still, filled with voices from unimaginable distances.

Derived terms

• subetheric
• subetherics

References

• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2025), “sub-ether, n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.