Aïr n a mountainous region of N central Niger, in the Sahara, rising to 1500 m (5000 ft.): a former native kingdom. Area: about 77700 sq. km (30000 sq. miles), (Also called)
Asben, Azbine
air n
1 the mixture of gases that forms the earth's atmosphere. At sea level dry air has a density of 1.226 kilograms per cubic metre and consists of 78.08 per cent nitrogen, 20.95 per cent oxygen, 0.93 per cent argon, 0.03 per cent carbon dioxide, with smaller quantities of ozone and inert gases; water vapour varies between 0 and 4 per cent and in industrial areas sulphur gases may be present as pollutants
2 the space above and around the earth; sky
Related adj →
aerial
4 public expression; utterance
to give air to one's complaints
5 a distinctive quality
an air of mystery
6 a person's distinctive appearance, manner, or bearing
a a simple tune for either vocal or instrumental performance
b another word for →
aria
8 transportation in aircraft (esp. in the phrase by air)
9 an archaic word for →
breath →
1--3
10 ♦
clear the air to rid a situation of tension or discord by settling misunderstandings, etc.
11 ♦
give (someone) the air
Slang to reject or dismiss (someone)
a in circulation; current
b in the process of being decided; unsettled
13 , into thin air leaving no trace behind
14 ♦
on (or off) the air (not) in the act of broadcasting or (not) being broadcast on radio or television
15 ♦
out of or from thin air suddenly and unexpectedly
16 ♦
take the air to go out of doors, as for a short walk or ride
b Informal agitated or excited
18 ♦
walk on air to feel elated or exhilarated
19 (Astrology) of or relating to a group of three signs of the zodiac, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
Compare →
earth →
10 →
fire →
24 →
water →
12 vb
20 to expose or be exposed to the air so as to cool or freshen; ventilate
to air a room
21 to expose or be exposed to warm or heated air so as to dry
to air linen
22 to make known publicly; display; publicize
to air one's opinions
23 (of a television or radio programme) to be broadcast, (See also)
→
airs (C13: via Old French and Latin from Greek aer the lower atmosphere)
AIR abbrev. for
All India Radio
air alert n
(Military)
1 the condition in which combat aircraft are airborne and ready for an operation
2 a signal to prepare for this
air bag n
a safety device in a car, consisting of a bag that inflates automatically in an accident and prevents the passengers from being thrown forwards
air base n
a centre from which military aircraft operate, (Also called)
air station
air bed n
an inflatable mattress
air bladder n
1 (Ichthyol) an air-filled sac, lying above the alimentary canal in bony fishes, that regulates buoyancy at different depths by a variation in the pressure of the air, (Also called)
swim bladder
2 any air-filled sac, such as one of the bladders of seaweeds
