n.
Variant: also egis
Pronunciation: ' ē -j ə s also ' ā -
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from Greek aigis, literally, goatskin, from aig-, aix goat; akin to Armenian ayc goat
Date: 1581
1 : a shield or breastplate emblematic of majesty that was associated with Zeus and Athena
2 a : PROTECTION <under the aegis of the Constitution> b : controlling or conditioning influence <many American mothers, under the aegis of benevolent permissiveness ⋯ actually neglect their children ― Time >
3 a : AUSPICES , SPONSORSHIP <under the aegis of the museum> b : control or guidance especially by an individual, group, or system