the medium through which faster-than-light signals propagate, sometimes conceived as being on a smaller scale than "ether"
Therefore, if there is anything between the particles of the ether—this matter is being debated hotly among us at the present time—it must be a sub-ether, if I may use that term.
He knew that the zones of force surrounding his vessel were absolutely impenetrable to any wave propagated through the ether, and to any possible form of material substance. He knew also that the subether was blocked, through the fifth and sixth orders. He knew that it was hopeless to attempt to solve the problem of the seventh order in the time at his disposal.
‘It is easy enough,’ he began as the spy listened, ‘to transmit through the ether forms of high frequency energy, but the power loss is tremendous. My approach to the problem was to discover a new medium of transmission—the sub-ether.’
Giant battleships of space would be entering sub-ether tubes for faster-than-light journeying to the scene of emergency.
They had traced the tiny ripples that He had left in the subether—their swift strides overhauled His weakening progress with terrible inexorability.
They had every band under strict surveillance, from cosmic rays to sub-ether.
Zaphod leaped across the cabin and switched frequencies on the sub-ether receiver before the next mind-pulverizing noise hit them.
antedating 1930
Edward E. Smith, 'Skylark Three'
Last modified 2020-12-16 04:08:47
In the compilation of some
entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries
in OED.