air

I. 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 airs

> 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 • airless adjective • airlessness noun 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 airs daily

> Synonyms: see express