Air

[eə] or [ɛr]

Definition

(noun.) a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing; 'an air of mystery'; 'the house had a neglected air'; 'an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters'; 'the place had an aura of romance'.

(noun.) medium for radio and television broadcasting; 'the program was on the air from 9 til midnight'; 'the president used the airwaves to take his message to the people'.

(noun.) the region above the ground; 'her hand stopped in mid air'; 'he threw the ball into the air'.

(noun.) a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of; 'air pollution'; 'a smell of chemicals in the air'; 'open a window and let in some air'; 'I need some fresh air'.

(noun.) once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles).

(verb.) expose to warm or heated air, so as to dry; 'Air linen'.

(verb.) broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television; 'We cannot air this X-rated song'.

(verb.) be broadcast; 'This show will air Saturdays at 2 P.M.'.

Typed by Kate--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) The fluid which we breathe, and which surrounds the earth; the atmosphere. It is invisible, inodorous, insipid, transparent, compressible, elastic, and ponderable.

(n.) Symbolically: Something unsubstantial, light, or volatile.

(n.) A particular state of the atmosphere, as respects heat, cold, moisture, etc., or as affecting the sensations; as, a smoky air, a damp air, the morning air, etc.

(n.) Any aeriform body; a gas; as, oxygen was formerly called vital air.

(n.) Air in motion; a light breeze; a gentle wind.

(n.) Odoriferous or contaminated air.

(n.) That which surrounds and influences.

(n.) Utterance abroad; publicity; vent.

(n.) Intelligence; information.

(n.) A musical idea, or motive, rhythmically developed in consecutive single tones, so as to form a symmetrical and balanced whole, which may be sung by a single voice to the stanzas of a hymn or song, or even to plain prose, or played upon an instrument; a melody; a tune; an aria.

(n.) In harmonized chorals, psalmody, part songs, etc., the part which bears the tune or melody -- in modern harmony usually the upper part -- is sometimes called the air.

(n.) The peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person; mien; demeanor; as, the air of a youth; a heavy air; a lofty air.

(n.) Peculiar appearance; apparent character; semblance; manner; style.

(n.) An artificial or affected manner; show of pride or vanity; haughtiness; as, it is said of a person, he puts on airs.

(n.) The representation or reproduction of the effect of the atmospheric medium through which every object in nature is viewed.

(n.) Carriage; attitude; action; movement; as, the head of that portrait has a good air.

(n.) The artificial motion or carriage of a horse.

(n.) To expose to the air for the purpose of cooling, refreshing, or purifying; to ventilate; as, to air a room.

(n.) To expose for the sake of public notice; to display ostentatiously; as, to air one's opinion.

(n.) To expose to heat, for the purpose of expelling dampness, or of warming; as, to air linen; to air liquors.

Checked by Adelaide

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. [1]. Atmosphere, atmospheric air, common air.[2]. Gas, aeriform fluid.[3]. Breeze, zephyr, gentle wind, breath of air.[4]. Weather, open air, open atmosphere.[5]. Appearance, aspect, mien, manner, look, cast, demeanor, conduct, carriage, bearing, deportment, behavior, port.[6]. Tune, melody.

v. a. [1]. Expose to air.[2]. Ventilate, change the air of.

Edited by Everett

Definition

n. the fluid we breathe: the atmosphere: any special condition of atmosphere as in 'the night-air ' 'to take the air:' a light breeze: publicity: the bearing of a person: outward appearance manner look: an assumed or affected manner: (mus.) a rhythmical melody: a song also specially a sprightly song: the soprano part in a harmonised composition being that which gives it its character: (pl.) affectation.—v.t. to expose to the air: to dry: to expose to warm air: (obs.) to take an airing.—ns. Air′-bath an arrangement for drying substances in air of any desired temperature; Air′-bed a bed for the sick inflated with air; Air′-blad′der in some fishes an organ containing air by which they maintain their equilibrium in the water; Air′-brake a railway brake worked by compressed air.—adj. Air′-built built in air: having no solid foundation.—ns. Air′-cell a cavity containing air; Air′-cush′ion an air-tight cushion which can be inflated; Air′-drain an ample space at the foot of foundation walls for the sake of dryness.—adj. Air′drawn drawn in air: visionary: (Shak.) imaginary.—ns. Air′-en′gine an engine put in motion by air expanded by heat; Air′-gas illuminating gas made by charging atmospheric air with vapour of petroleum or other hydrocarbon; Air′-gun a gun which discharges bullets by means of compressed air.—adv. Air′ily gaily.—ns. Air′iness state of being airy; openness: liveliness; Air′ing exposure to the air or fire: a short excursion in the open air; Air′-jack′et a jacket with air-tight cavities which being inflated renders a person buoyant in water.—adj. Air′less void of air: not having free communication with the open air.—ns. Air′-lock a small chamber for the entrance and exit of men and materials at the top of the caisson or hollow cylinder used for founding the piers of bridges under water; Air′-pump an instrument for pumping the air out of a vessel; Air′-sac an air-cell or air-space esp. in the bones of birds; Air′-shaft a passage for air into a mine; Air′-ship a navigable balloon; Air′-space the cubic content of a room hospital-ward or the like with reference to the respirable air contained in it.—adj. Air′-tight so tight as not to admit air.—n. Air′-ves′sel a vessel or tube containing air.—adv. Air′wards up in the air.—adj. Air′y consisting of or relating to air: open to the air: like air: unsubstantial: light of heart: sprightly.—To take air to get wind to become publicly known.

Checked by Elisha