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egis

 - 5 dictionary results
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e⋅gis

  [ee-jis]
Use egis in a Sentence
–noun
aegis.
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ae⋅gis

  [ee-jis]
–noun
1. Classical Mythology. the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its center the head of the Gorgon.
2. protection; support: under the imperial aegis.
3. sponsorship; auspices: a debate under the aegis of the League of Women Voters.
Also, egis.

Origin:
1695–1705; < L < Gk aigís shield of Zeus or Athena, prob. from aig- (s. of aíx goat) + -is n. suffix, from a type of shield made of goatskin

Synonyms:
3. patronage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To egis
ae·gis also e·gis   (ē'jĭs)   
n.  

  1. Protection: a child whose welfare is now under the aegis of the courts.

  2. Sponsorship; patronage: a concert held under the aegis of the parents' association.

  3. Guidance, direction, or control: a music program developed under the aegis of the conductor.

  4. Greek Mythology The goatskin shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena. Athena's shield carried at its center the head of Medusa.


[Latin, from Greek aigis, goatskin, skin shield, aegis, from aix, aig-, goat.]
e·gis   (ē'jĭs)   
n.  Variant of aegis.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

aegis 
"protection," 1793, from L. ægis, from Gk. Aigis, the shield of Zeus, said by Herodotus to be related to aix (gen. aigos) "goat," from PIE *aig- "goat" (cf. Skt. ajah, Lith. ozys "he-goat"), as the shield was of goatskin. Athene's aigis was a short goat-skin cloak, covered with scales, set with a gorgon's head, and fringed with snakes.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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