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airt

1 of 2

noun

ˈārt

ˈert

chiefly Scotland

: compass point : direction

airt

2 of 2

verb

airted; airting; airts

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland

: to direct or guide (someone or something) in a way or course

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Early Scots & northern Middle English art "point of the compass, locality," probably borrowed from Irish aird or a Scottish Gaelic cognate, of uncertain origin

Verb

derivative of airt entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1782, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of airt was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Airt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airt. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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airt

noun

verb

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