ethereal

Ethereal is an adjective used to describe something extremely delicate and light in a way that seems not of this world. It can convey airiness or refinement, and is often applied to beauty, music, or atmosphere that feels celestial or intangible. In everyday language, ethereal frequently suggests a dreamlike, otherworldly, or transcendental quality.

Origin and usage: The word derives from Latin aetherius, from Greek aitherios, from aether meaning the upper air or sky. The sense of subtlety and insubstantiality reflects the ancient idea of aether as a heavenly medium that fills space.

Science and related senses: In chemistry, ethereal refers to ethers and to volatile solvents with ether-like properties, such as diethyl ether. The term can describe aromas or textures that are light and nonliteral in presence. In philosophy and the history of science, the concept of aether influenced early theories about space, matter, and the nature of reality.

Technology and culture: Ethereal was the original name of the network protocol analyzer now known as Wireshark; the project was renamed in 2006 after trademark concerns. In fantasy fiction and roleplaying games, ethereal often describes something translucent or ghostly, or pertains to the Ethereal Plane, a dreamlike realm that lies between the material world and the spirit world.