The fluid which we breathe, and which surrounds the earth; the atmosphere. It is invisible, inodorous, insipid, transparent, compressible, elastic, and ponderable.
•
Symbolically: Something unsubstantial, light, or volatile.
•
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.
•
Any aeriform body; a gas; as, oxygen was formerly called vital air.
•
Air in motion; a light breeze; a gentle wind.
•
Odoriferous or contaminated air.
•
That which surrounds and influences.
•
Utterance abroad; publicity; vent.
•
Intelligence; information.
•
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.
•
In harmonized chorals, psalmody, part songs, etc., the part which bears the tune or melody -- in modern harmony usually the upper part -- is sometimes called the air.
•
The peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person; mien; demeanor; as, the air of a youth; a heavy air; a lofty air.