Etymology
1. c.1300, "invisible gases that make up the atmosphere," from O.Fr.
air, from L.
ærem (nom.
ær), from Gk.
aer (gen.
æros) "air" (related to
aenai "to blow, breathe"), in Homer mostly "thick air, mist;" later "air" as one of the four elements. Replaced O.E.
luft. The verb meaning "to expose to open air" is first recorded 1530. Broadcasting sense (e.g.
on the air) first recorded 1927.
Air-conditioning first attested 1909, originally an industrial process; main modern use in residences and office buildings is from 1930s.
Air-freshener first attested 1949.
Air-tight "impervious to air" is from 1760; fig. sense of "incontrovertible" (of arguments, alabis, etc.) is from 1929.
Airmail is from 1913;
airport first attested 1919;
Airhead "empty-headed person" first recorded 1972.
Airily is from 1766. To
give (someone) the air "dismiss" is from 1900.
2. Etymology tree
3. Proto-Indo-European *h₂ews-
4. Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewsér
5. Proto-Hellenic *auhḗr
6. Ancient Greek ᾱ̓ήρ (āḗr)bor.
7. Latin āēr
8. Old French airbor.
9. Middle English aire
10. English air
11. 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.
Verbs referencing "air"
Welsh
aerio, Welsh
eirio.