Main Entry: ¹air

Pronunciation: \ˈer\

Function: 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

— air·less \-ləs\ adjective

— air·less·ness noun

— in the air : in wide circulation : about

— up in the air : not yet settled