Crossword Genius

The clear, upper air; an anaesthetic (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ether

This clue is a double definition.

'the clear upper air' is the first definition.
(upper air in Greek philosophy)

'an anaesthetic' is the second definition.
(ether is a kind of anaesthetic)

(Other definitions for ether that I've seen before include "Anaesthetic liquid; clear sky" , "Medium supposedly" , "Volatile organic liquid once used as a general anaesthetic" , "Gas - air - space" , "Anaesthetic is, strangely, there" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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