Main Entry:

¹ae·ri·al

Pronunciation:

\ˈer-ē-əl, ā-ˈir-ē-əl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Latin aerius, from Greek aerios, from aēr

Date:

1604

1 a: of, relating to, or occurring in the air or atmosphere b: existing or growing in the air rather than in the ground or in water c: high in the air <aerial spires> d: operating or operated overhead on elevated cables or rails <an aerial tram>2: suggestive of air: as a: lacking substance b: fanciful, ethereal <visions of aerial joy — P. B. Shelley> 3 a: of or relating to aircraft <aerial navigation> b: designed for use in, taken from, or operating from or against aircraft c: effected by means of aircraft <aerial transportation>4: of, relating to, or gained by the forward pass in football

— ae·ri·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb