I. ˈa]rēəl, ˈe], ˈaa], ˈā] also āˈi] or āˈē] or āˈe] adjective
Etymology: Latin aeri us (from Greek aerios, from aer-, aēr air) + English -al — more at air
1.
a. : of or belonging to the air or atmosphere
vast aerial gulfs — J.C.Powys
b. : consisting of air
aerial particles
c.
(1) : existing in the air : moving through the air
aerial spirits
(2) : existing, forming, or growing in the air rather than in the ground or in water
aerial plants
d. : found, placed, or suspended in the air
an aerial supply of oxygen
aerial germicides
e. : produced by or performed in the air
aerial oxidation
a hummingbird moving about in an aerial dance among the flowers — W.H.Hudson †1922
f. : rising high in the air : lofty
aerial spires
g. : operating or operated overhead on elevated cables or rails
aerial conveyors for transportation of raw materials
an aerial railway
2.
a. : resembling or suggestive of air: as
(1) : thin , attenuated : lacking substance
fine and aerial distinctions
(2) : imaginary , ethereal , ideal
visions of aerial joy — P.B.Shelley
(3) : clear as air : lucid
compare the aerial texture of his essay with the … darkness of the original sources — John Russell
b. : representative of the effect of atmosphere : atmospheric
the principal charm of all Italian scenery, its graceful outlines and much of its delicate aerial tints — Norman Douglas
3.
a. : of or relating to aircraft
aerial navigation
b. : designed for use in, taken from, or operating from or against aircraft
aerial camera
aerial photo
aerial gun
c. : by means of aircraft
documents … for aerial transmission to the headquarters — Punch
4. : using or resulting from a forward pass in football
some fine aerial work
an aerial attack that led … to their 27-20 victory — New York Times
• aer·i·al·ly -ēəlē, -i\ adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1. : antenna 3
2. : aerial ladder
3. : forward pass
III. noun
: an acrobatic maneuver performed (as by skiers and gymnasts) in the air ; also : a downhill ski event in which skiers execute aerials