air: Meaning and Definition of
air
Pronunciation: (âr), [key]
— n.
- a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and minute amounts of other gases that surrounds the earth and forms its atmosphere.
- a stir in the atmosphere; a light breeze.
- overhead space; sky: The planes filled the air.
- circulation; publication; publicity: to give air to one's theories.
- the general character or complexion of anything; appearance: His early work had an air of freshness and originality.
- the peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person: There is an air of mystery about him.
- affected or unnatural manner; manifestation of pride or vanity; assumed haughtiness: He acquired airs that were insufferable to his friends.
-
- a tune; melody.
- the soprano or treble part.
- an aria.
- Also,ayre.an Elizabethan art song.
- aircraft as a means of transportation: to arrive by air; to ship goods by air.
- air conditioning or an air-conditioning system: The price includes tires, radio, and air.
- the medium through which radio waves are transmitted.
- breath.
- to eliminate dissension, ambiguity, or tension from a discussion, situation, etc.: The staff meeting was intended to help clear the air.
- He had worked only a few days when he got the air.
- to be rejected, as by a lover.
- to be dismissed, as by an employer:He had worked only a few days when he got the air.
- He was bitter because she gave him the air.
- to reject, as a lover:He was bitter because she gave him the air.
- to dismiss, as an employee.
- in circulation; current: There's a rumor in the air that we're moving to a new location.
- completely out of sight or reach: He vanished into thin air.
- The station goes off the air at midnight.
- not broadcasting:The station goes off the air at midnight.
- not broadcast; out of operation as a broadcast:The program went off the air years ago.
- (of a computer) not in operation.
- The program will be going on the air in a few seconds.
- in the act of broadcasting; being broadcast:The program will be going on the air in a few seconds.
- (of a computer) in operation.
- to assume an affected or haughty manner: As their fortune increased, they began to put on airs.
-
- to go out-of-doors; take a short walk or ride.
- Slang.to leave, esp. hurriedly.
- to begin broadcasting.
- The contract is still up in the air.
- Also,in the air.undecided or unsettled:The contract is still up in the air.
- Informal.angry; perturbed:There is no need to get up in the air over a simple mistake.
- to feel very happy; be elated.
—v.t.
- to expose to the air; give access to the open air; ventilate (often fol. by out): We air the bedrooms every day.
- to expose ostentatiously; bring to public notice; display: to air one's opinions; to air one's theories.
- to broadcast or televise.
—v.i.
- to be exposed to the open air (often fol. by out): Open the window and let the room air out.
- to be broadcast or televised.
—adj.
- operating by means of air pressure or by acting upon air: an air drill; an air pump.
- of or pertaining to aircraft or to aviation: air industry.
- taking place in the air; aerial: air war.
air
Pronunciation: (âr), [key]
— Scot. Scot.
—adj.
- early.
—adv.
- before; previously.
A•ïr
Pronunciation: (ä'ēr), [key]
— n.
- a region in N Niger, in the Sahara: low massif and oases. ab. 30,000 sq. mi. (77,700 sq. km). Also called
a-i-r
- artist-in-residence.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.