[air] n, often attrib [ME, fr. MF, fr. L aer, fr. Gk aer] (14c) 1 a archaic: breath b: the mixture of invisible odorless tasteless gases (as nitrogen and oxygen) that surrounds the earth c: a light breeze
2. a: empty space b: nothingness "vanished into thin ~" c: a sudden severance of relations "she gave me the ~" 3 [prob. trans. of It aria] a: tune, melody b Elizabethan & Jacobean music: an accompanied song or melody in usu. strophic form c: the chief voice part or melody in choral music
4. a: outward appearance of a thing "an ~ of luxury" b: a surrounding or pervading influence: atmosphere "an ~ of mystery" c: the look, appearance, or bearing of a person esp. as expressive of some personal quality or emotion: demeanor "an ~ of dignity" d: an artificial or affected manner "put on ~s"
5: public utterance "he gave ~ to his opinion"
6: compressed air
7. a (1): aircraft "go by ~" (2): aviation "~ safety" "~ rights" (3): air force "~ headquarters" b: the medium of transmission of radio waves; also: radio, television "went on the ~" 8: a football offense utilizing primarily the forward pass "trailing by 20 points, the team took to the ~" 9: an air-conditioning system syn see pose -- air.less adj -- air.less.ness n -- in the air : in wide circulation: about -- up in the air : not yet settled
[2]air vt (1530) 1: to expose to the air for drying, purifying, or refreshing: ventilate--often used with out
2: to expose to public view or bring to public notice
3: to transmit by radio or television "~ a program" ~ vi 1: to become exposed to the open air
2: to become broadcast "the program ~s daily" syn see express