I. ˈer noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin aer, from Greek aēr
Date: 14th century
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 air
c. : a sudden severance of relations
she gave me the air
3.
[probably translation of Italian aria ]
a. : tune , melody
b. Elizabethan & Jacobean music : an accompanied song or melody in usually strophic form
c. : the chief voice part or melody in choral music
4.
a. : outward appearance of a thing
an air of luxury
b. : a surrounding or pervading influence : atmosphere
an air of mystery
c. : the look, appearance, or bearing of a person especially as expressive of some personal quality or emotion : demeanor
an air of dignity
d. : an artificial or affected manner
put on air s
5. : public utterance
he gave air to his opinion
6. : compressed air
7.
a.
(1) : aircraft
go by air
(2) : aviation
air safety
air rights
(3) : air force
air headquarters
b.
(1) : the medium of transmission of radio waves ; also : radio , television
went on the air
(2) : airtime
8. : a football offense utilizing primarily the forward pass
trailing by 20 points, the team took to the air
9. : an air-conditioning system
10. : the height achieved in performing an aerial maneuver
a snowboarder catching big air
also : the maneuver itself
Synonyms: see pose
• air·less -ləs adjective
• air·less·ness noun
•
- in the air
- up in the air
II. verb
Date: 1530
transitive verb
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
air a program
intransitive verb
1. : to become exposed to the open air
2. : to become broadcast
the program air s daily
Synonyms: see express