noun 1.a
mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and minute amounts of other gases that surrounds the earth and forms its atmosphere.
2.a stir in the atmosphere; a light breeze.
3.overhead space; sky: The planes filled the air.
4.circulation; publication; publicity: to give air to one's theories.
5.the general character or complexion of anything; appearance: His early work had an air of freshness and originality.
EXPAND6.the peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person: There is an air of mystery about him.
7.airs, affected or unnatural manner; manifestation of pride or vanity; assumed haughtiness: He acquired airs that were insufferable to his friends.
8.Music. b.the soprano or treble part.
9.aircraft as a means of transportation: to arrive by air; to ship goods by air.
10.Informal. air conditioning or an air-conditioning system: The price includes tires, radio, and air.
11.Radio. the medium through
which radio waves are transmitted.
COLLAPSE
verb (used with object) 13.to expose to the
air; give access to the
open air; ventilate (often followed by
out):
We air the bedrooms every day. 14.to expose ostentatiously; bring to public notice; display: to air one's opinions; to air one's theories.
15.to broadcast or televise.
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Airer
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
verb (used without object) 16.to be exposed to the
open air (often followed by
out):
Open the window and let the room air out. 17.to be broadcast or televised.
adjective 18.operating by means of
air pressure or by acting upon
air: an air drill; an air pump. 19.of or pertaining to
aircraft or to aviation:
air industry. Idioms21.clear the air, to eliminate dissension, ambiguity, or tension from a discussion, situation, etc.: The staff meeting was intended to help clear the air.
22.get the air, Informal. a.to be rejected, as by a lover.
b.to be dismissed, as by an employer: He had worked only a few days when he got the air.
23.give (someone) the air, Informal. a.to reject, as a lover: He was bitter because she gave him the air.
b.to dismiss, as an employee.
24.in the air, in circulation;
current:
There's a rumor in the air that we're moving to a new location. 25.into thin air, completely out of sight or reach: He vanished into thin air.
EXPAND26.off the air, a.not broadcasting: The station goes off the air at midnight.
b.not broadcast; out of operation as a broadcast: The program went off the air years ago.
c.(of a computer) not in operation.
27.on the air, a.in the act of broadcasting; being broadcast:
The program will be going on the air in a few seconds. b.(of a computer) in operation.
28.put on airs, to assume an affected or haughty manner: As their fortune increased, they began to put on airs.
29.take the air, a.to go out-of-doors; take a short walk or ride.
b.Slang. to leave, especially hurriedly.
30.up in the air, a.Also, in the air. undecided or unsettled: The contract is still up in the air.
b.Informal. angry; perturbed: There is no need to get up in the air over a simple mistake.
31.walk/tread on air, to feel very happy; be elated.
COLLAPSE
Origin: 1150–1200; Middle English eir <
Old French air <
Latin āēr- (accusative
āerem) <
Greek āer- (stem of
āḗr) the lower atmosphere; conflated with
(especially for defs. 4 and 5) French air, Old French aire nature, character <
Latin ager field (
compare acre) and
ārea threshing floor, clearing,
area; and with
(for def. 7) French air <
Italian aria aria Related formsair·like, adjective
un·aired, adjective
well-aired, adjective
Synonyms 2. See wind1. 5, 6. impression, aspect.
6. aura, demeanor, attitude.
See manner1.