aegis

noun

ae·​gis ˈē-jəs How to pronounce aegis (audio)
also
ˈā- How to pronounce aegis (audio)
variants or less commonly
1
: a shield or breastplate emblematic of majesty that was associated with Zeus and Athena
2
a
: protection
under the aegis of the Constitution
b
: controlling or conditioning (see condition entry 2 sense 5a) influence
passed new laws under the aegis of national security
3
a
: auspices, sponsorship
under the aegis of the museum
b
: control or guidance especially by an individual, group, or system
under the aegis of the government

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Aegis Has Greek and Latin Roots

English borrowed aegis from Latin, but the word ultimately comes from the Greek noun aigís, meaning “goatskin.” In ancient Greek mythology, an aegis was something that offered physical protection. It has been depicted in various ways, including as a magical protective cloak made from the skin of the goat that suckled Zeus as an infant, and as a shield fashioned by Hephaestus that bore the severed head of the Gorgon Medusa. The word first entered English in the 15th century as a noun referring to the shield or breastplate associated with Zeus or Athena. It later took on a more general sense of “protection” and, by the late-19th century, it had acquired the extended senses of “auspices” and “sponsorship.”

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Democrats, meanwhile, put at least some faith in a new effort called the National Performance Review under the aegis of Vice President Al Gore. Ron Elving, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024 Presidents have intervened to block corporate acquisitions under the aegis of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States only eight times. The Editors, National Review, 4 Dec. 2024 Watch on Deadline The roster has taken shape under the aegis of Helen Estabrook, Global Head of Film & Television, and Sarah Amos, VP, Development and Production (Non-Fiction TV, Documentaries). Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024 The two partnered on a shower head, launched under the aegis of L’Oréal Professionnel, which has the capacity to decrease water consumption in hair salons by 69 percent. Jenny B. Fine, WWD, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aegis 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, borrowed from Greek aigís "goatskin, mantle of Zeus," derivative of aig-, aíx "goat"; akin to Armenian aic "goat" (perhaps going back to Indo-European *h2eiǵ-ih2-), and perhaps to Avestan izaēna "of leather"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aegis was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Aegis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aegis. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

aegis

noun
ae·​gis ˈē-jəs How to pronounce aegis (audio)
1
: protection sense 1a, defense
under the aegis of the law
2
: patronage sense 1, sponsorship
under the aegis of the museum

More from Merriam-Webster on aegis

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