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