v. [f. ETHER + -IZE. Cf. Fr. étheriser.]
1. trans. To convert (alcohol, etc.) into ether.
1828. in Webster.
1847. in Craig; and in mod. Dicts.
2. To mix or compound with ether.
1800–76. [see ETHERIZED].
3. To put (a patient) under the influence of ether. Also transf.
1864. Lowell, Fireside Trav., 145. Gradually the mind was etherized to a like dreamy placidity.
1879. J. Timbs, Chloroform, in Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 107/1. A patient … was etherised, and had a limb amputated … without the infliction of any pain.
1881. Philada. Inquirer, 9 Aug., 1/1. After the morning bulletin was issued he was etherized.
† 4. = ELECTRIFY.
1748. Lond. Mag., 255. Besides being constantly electeriz’d or rather etheriz’d by the earth.
Hence Etherized ppl. a., in senses 2 and 3 of the vb. † Etherized nitrous gas. Etherizer, an apparatus for administering ether. Etherizing ppl. a., in sense 3 of the vb.; in quot. fig.
1800. Phil. Trans., XC. 219. The gas … into which the nitrous etherized gas can be resolved, by treatment with dilute sulphuric acid.
1807. T. Thomson, Chem. (ed. 3), II. 421. When equal parts of alcohol and nitric acid are mixed, a violent effervescence takes place … owing to the emission of a gas … a compound of nitrous gas and ether. It has been termed for that reason etherised nitrous gas.
1848. Sir J. Y. Simpson, in Monthly Jrnl. Med. Sc., IX. 21. When the patient was in an etherized state.
1876. trans. Schützenberger’s Ferment., 28. The etherized alcoholic liquid is distilled in a retort.
