Air /(âr)/

Air

n.
  1. The fluid which we breathe, and which surrounds the earth; the atmosphere. It is invisible, inodorous, insipid, transparent, compressible, elastic, and ponderable.
  2. Symbolically: Something unsubstantial, light, or volatile.
    He was still all air and fire.
  3. 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.
  4. Any aëriform body; a gas; as, oxygen was formerly called vital air. [Obs.]
  5. Air in motion; a light breeze; a gentle wind.
    Let vernal airs through trembling osiers play.
  6. Odoriferous or contaminated air.
  7. That which surrounds and influences.
    The keen, the wholesome air of poverty.
  8. Utterance abroad; publicity; vent.
    You gave it air before me.
  9. Intelligence; information. [Obs.]
  10. 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. (Mus.)
  11. The peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person; mien; demeanor; as, the air of a youth; a heavy air; a lofty air.
  12. Peculiar appearance; apparent character; semblance; manner; style.
    It was communicated with the air of a secret.
  13. An artificial or affected manner; show of pride or vanity; haughtiness; as, it is said of a person, he puts on airs.
  14. The representation or reproduction of the effect of the atmospheric medium through which every object in nature is viewed. (Paint.)
  15. The artificial motion or carriage of a horse. (Man.)

Phrases & Compounds
Air balloon
See Balloon.
Air bath
An apparatus for the application of air to the body.
Air castle
See Castle in the air, under Castle.
Air compressor
a machine for compressing air to be used as a motive power.
Air crossing
a passage for air in a mine.
Air cushion
an air-tight cushion which can be inflated; also, a device for arresting motion without shock by confined air.
Air fountain
a contrivance for producing a jet of water by the force of compressed air.
Air furnace
a furnace which depends on a natural draft and not on blast.
Air line
a straight line; a bee line.
Air-line
as, air-line road.
Air lock
an intermediate chamber between the outer air and the compressed-air chamber of a pneumatic caisson.
Air port
a scuttle or porthole in a ship to admit air.
Air spring
a spring in which the elasticity of air is utilized.
Air thermometer
a form of thermometer in which the contraction and expansion of air is made to measure changes of temperature.
Air threads
gossamer.
Air trap
a contrivance for shutting off foul air or gas from drains, sewers, etc.; a stench trap.
Air trunk
a pipe or shaft for conducting foul or heated air from a room.
Air valve
a valve to regulate the admission or egress of air; esp. a valve which opens inwardly in a steam boiler and allows air to enter.
Air way
a passage for a current of air; as the air way of an air pump; an air way in a mine.
In the air
Prevalent without traceable origin or authority, as rumors.
on the air
currently transmitting; live; -- used of radio and television broadcasts, to indicate that the images and sounds being picked up by cameras and microphones are being broadcast at the present moment.
To take air
to be divulged; to be made public.
To take the air
to go abroad; to walk or ride out.

Air

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Aired; p. pr. & vb. n. Airing

  1. To expose to the air for the purpose of cooling, refreshing, or purifying; to ventilate; as, to air a room.
    It were good wisdom . . . that the jail were aired.
    Were you but riding forth to air yourself.
  2. To expose for the sake of public notice; to display ostentatiously; as, to air one's opinion.
    Airing a snowy hand and signet gem.
  3. To expose to heat, for the purpose of expelling dampness, or of warming; as, to air linen; to air liquors.