ɛə n. & v. --n. 1 an
invisible gaseous substance surrounding
the earth, a
mixture mainly of
oxygen and nitrogen. 2 a the earth's
atmosphere. b the
free or
unconfined space in the atmosphere (birds of the air; in the
open air). c the atmosphere as a
place where aircraft operate. 3 a a
distinctive impression or
characteristic (an air of absurdity). b one's
manner or
bearing,
esp. a
confident one (with a
triumphant air;
does things
with an air). c (esp. in pl.) an
affected manner; pretentiousness (gave
himself airs; airs and graces). 4 Mus. a
tune or
melody; a
melodious composition. 5 a breeze or
light wind. --v.tr. 1
warm (washed laundry) to
remove damp, esp. at a
fire or in a
heated cupboard. 2
expose (a
room etc.) to the open air;
ventilate. 3 express publicly (an
opinion,
grievance, etc.). 4
parade;
show ostentatiously (esp. qualities). 5 refl. go
out in the
fresh air. øair
bag a
safety device that fills with air on
impact to
protect the occupants of a
vehicle in a
collision. air-bed an
inflatable mattress. air-bladder a
bladder or
sac filled with air in fish or
some plants (cf. swim-bladder). air
brake 1 a brake worked by air
pressure. 2 a
movable flap or
other device on an aircraft to
reduce its speed. air-brick a
brick perforated with
small holes
for ventilation. air-bridge a
portable bridge or
walkway put
against an aircraft
door. Air
Chief Marshal an
RAF officer of
high rank,
below Marshal of the RAF and
above Air Marshal. Air
Commodore an RAF officer
next above
Group Captain. air-conditioned (of a room,
building, etc.) equipped with air-conditioning. air-conditioner an air-conditioning
apparatus. air-conditioning 1 a
system for regulating the
humidity, ventilation, and
temperature in a building. 2 the apparatus for
this. air-cooled cooled by
means of a
current of air. air
corridor = CORRIDOR 4. air-cushion 1 an inflatable
cushion. 2 the
layer of air supporting a
hovercraft or
similar vehicle. air force a
branch of the armed forces
concerned with fighting or
defence in the air. air-hostess a
stewardess in a
passenger aircraft. air
lane a
path or
course regularly used by aircraft (cf. LANE 4). air
letter a sheet of light
paper forming a letter for sending by
airmail. air line a
pipe supplying air, esp. to a
diver. Air Marshal an RAF officer of high rank, below Air Chief Marshal and above Air Vice-Marshal. Air Officer
any RAF officer above the rank of Group Captain. air
plant a plant growing
naturally without soil. air
pocket an
apparent vacuum in the air causing an aircraft to
drop suddenly. air
power the
ability to
defend and
attack by means of aircraft, missiles, etc. air pump a device for pumping air
into or out of a
vessel. air
raid an attack by aircraft. air rifle a rifle using compressed air to
propel pellets. air sac an
extension of the lungs in birds or the tracheae in insects. air-sea
rescue rescue
from the
sea by aircraft. air speed the speed of an aircraft
relative to the air
through which it is
moving. air
terminal a building in a
city or
town to which passengers
report and which serves as a base for
transport to and from an
airport. air
time time allotted for a
broadcast. air-to-air from one aircraft to
another in flight. air
traffic controller an airport
official who controls air traffic by giving
radio instructions to pilots
concerning route,
altitude, take-off, and
landing. Air Vice-Marshal an RAF officer of high rank,
just below Air Marshal. air waves colloq. radio waves used in broadcasting. by air by aircraft; in an aircraft. in the air 1 (of opinions or feelings)
prevalent; gaining
currency. 2 (of projects etc.)
uncertain,
not decided. on (or off) the air in (or not in) the process of broadcasting.
take the air go out of doors.
tread (or walk) on air
feel elated. [ME f. F and L f. Gk aer]