air

Etymology 1

From Middle English aire, from Old French air, from Latin āēr, from Ancient Greek ἀήρ (aḗr). Displaced native Old English lyft. More at lift, loft.

noun

1. (uncountable, meteorology) The substance constituting Earth's atmosphere
   1. (historical, philosophy, alchemy) understood as one of the four elements of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
   2. (historical, medicine) understood as a particular local substance with supposed effects on human health.
      Jeeves: Foreign travel often liberates emotions best kept in check, sir. The air of North America is notoriously stimulating in this regard, as witness the regrettable behavior of its inhabitants in 1776. B. Wooster: Hm? What happened in 1776, Jeeves? Jeeves: I prefer not to dwell on it, if it's convenient to you, sir. May 12 1991, “Kidnapped!”, in Jeeves and Wooster, Series 2, Episode 5
      There was a tension in the air which made me suspect an approaching storm.
   3. (physics) understood as a gaseous mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and various trace gases.
2. (usually with the) The apparently open space above the ground which this substance fills, (historical) formerly thought to be limited by the firmament but (meteorology) now considered to be surrounded by the near vacuum of outer space.
   The flock of birds took to the air.
3. A breeze; a gentle wind.
4. A feeling or sense.
   to give it an air of artistry and sophistication
   November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk Smalling’s quick one-two of yellow cards towards the end of the first half had left an air of inevitability about what would follow and, if anything, it was probably a surprise that City restricted themselves to Sergio Agüero’s goal bearing in mind another of United’s defenders, Marcos Rojo, was taken off on a stretcher early in the second half with a dislocated shoulder.
5. A sense of poise, graciousness, or quality.
6. (usually in the plural) Pretension; snobbishness; pretence that one is better than others.
   putting on airs
   He read the letter aloud. Sophia listened with the studied air of one for whom, even in these days, a title possessed some surreptitious allurement. 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest
7. (music) A song, especially a solo; an aria.
8. (informal) Nothing; absence of anything.
9. (countable, uncountable) An air conditioner or the processed air it produces.
   Could you turn on the air?
   Hey, did you mean to leave the airs on all week while you were on vacation?
10. (obsolete, chemistry) Any specific gas.
11. (snowboarding, skateboarding, motor sports) A jump in which one becomes airborne.
12. A television or radio signal; (by extension) media broadcasts in general.
    Ernst gave a list of political activists who had been denied access to the air by private broadcasters, and pointed out that "Secretary Hoover's signature in New York sells for $150,000 to $200,000," thus limiting access to the air on the part of labor unions and other underrepresented groups. 1996, Thomas Streeter, Selling the Air
    Coming to you live once a month, or whenever I feel like broadcasting a little pirate air. 2001, Dana Stabenow, The Singing of the Dead, page 17
    “These members need air cover in the media.” Paid media is the admission ticket to enter the big-time Washington stage. 2015, Gary Andres, Paul Hernnson, Lobbying Reconsidered: Politics Under the Influence, page 149
13. (uncountable) Publicity.

verb

1. (transitive) To bring (something) into contact with the air, so as to freshen or dry it.
2. (transitive) To let fresh air into (a room or a building), to ventilate.
   It's getting quite stuffy in this room: let's open the windows and air it.
3. (transitive) To give voice to, to make public (an opinion etc.).
   John Mayer has apologised for using a racist epithet in a recent interview with Playboy magazine, after a number of prominent black musicians aired their disapproval. 2010-02-11, Rosie Swash, “John Mayer apologises after using N-word in Playboy interview”, in The Guardian
4. To discuss varying viewpoints on a given topic.
   Thus, in spite of all opposition, the rural and urban assemblies retained the germ of local government, and in spite of the dual control, as the result of which much of their influence was nullified, they did have a certain value in airing abuses and suggesting improvements. 1917, National Geographic, v.31, March 1917
5. (transitive) To broadcast (a television show etc.).
6. (intransitive) To be broadcast.
   This game show first aired in the 1990s and is still going today.
7. (transitive, Britain, MLE, slang) To ignore (a person).
   Why is this girl airing me?

Etymology 2

verb

1. Pronunciation spelling of are.