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Definition of aegis
1 : a shield or breastplate emblematic of majesty that was associated with Zeus and Athena
2a : protection under the aegis of the Constitutionb : controlling or conditioning (see 2condition 5a) influence passed new laws under the aegis of national security
3a : auspices, sponsorship under the aegis of the museumb : control or guidance especially by an individual, group, or system under the aegis of the government
From the M-W Editors
aegis was our Word of the Day on 02/12/2013. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Examples of aegis in a Sentence
having no claim to the land under the aegis of the law, the cattle baron decided to claim it by force
a medical study that was questioned by many because it was done under the aegis of a major pharmaceutical company
Recent Examples of aegis from the Web
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AEGIS is also programmed to keep ChemCam’s eye from pointing at the sun, which could damage the instrument.
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Hapilon declared allegiance to the Islamic State in 2014 and reportedly formed an alliance with other militants under the group’s aegis.
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The 16th season of free weekly concerts and pre-event receptions, now presented under the aegis of the International Music Foundation, begins with the Kontras Quartet playing works by Haydn and Dan Visconti.
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The Bronx Zoo is one of many institutions under the aegis of the Wildlife Conservation Society, which protects ecosystems around the world.
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But American religious pluralism nevertheless evolved under the broader theological aegis of Protestantism, rooted in the traditions of northern Europe.
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Most of the American foreign aid to Mexico is provided under the aegis of the initiative.
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In many parts of Europe, it was believed that only the truth could be spoken under its branches, and so judicial hearings were held under its aegis.
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Under the aegis of mafia organizations as far apart as China and the Balkans, tens of thousands of people from Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe are on the move every day toward Western Europe.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aegis'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
aegis Has Greek and Latin Roots
We borrowed "aegis" from Latin, but the word ultimately derives from the Greek noun aigis, which means "goatskin." In ancient Greek mythology, an aegis was something that offered physical protection. In some stories, it was the thundercloud where Zeus kept the thunderbolts he used as weapons. In others, the aegis was a magical protective cloak made from the skin of the goat that had suckled Zeus as an infant. The word first entered English in the 16th century as a noun meaning "shield" or "protection," and by the 20th century it had acquired the extended senses of "auspices" or "sponsorship."
Origin and Etymology of aegis
Latin, from Greek aigis, literally, goatskin, from aig-, aix goat; akin to Armenian ayc goat
AEGIS Defined for English Language Learners
aegis
playDefinition of aegis for English Language Learners
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: the power to protect, control, or support something or someone
Learn More about aegis
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for aegis Britannica English: Translation of aegis for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aegis
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