aegis
or e·gis
[ ee-jis ]
/ ˈi dʒɪs /
noun
Classical Mythology. the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its center the head of the Gorgon.
protection; support: under the imperial aegis.
sponsorship; auspices: a debate under the aegis of the League of Women Voters.
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Nearby words
aegina, aegina, gulf of, aegir, aegirine, aegirite, aegis, aegisthus, aegium, aegospotami, aegrotat, aegyptopithecus
Origin of aegis
1695–1705; < Latin < Greek aigís shield of Zeus or Athena, probably from aig- (stem of aíx goat) + -is noun suffix, from a type of shield made of goatskin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for aegis
British Dictionary definitions for aegis
aegis
sometimes US egis
/ (ˈiːdʒɪs) /
noun
sponsorship or protection; auspices (esp in the phrase under the aegis of)
Greek myth the shield of Zeus, often represented in art as a goatskin
Word Origin for aegis
C18: from Latin, from Greek aigis shield of Zeus, perhaps related to aig-, stem of aix goat
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for aegis
aegis
"protection," 1793, from Latin aegis, from Greek Aigis, the name of the shield of Zeus, said by Herodotus to be related to aix (genitive aigos) "goat," from PIE *aig- "goat" (cf. Sanskrit ajah, Lithuanian ozys "he-goat"), as the shield was of goatskin. Athene's aigis was a short goat-skin cloak, covered with scales, set with a gorgon's head, and fringed with snakes. The exact use and purpose of it is not now clear.
The goatskin would be worn with the two forelegs tied in front of the wearer's breast, or possibly with the head passed through an opening made at the neck, by the removal of the animal's head. [F. Warre Cornish, ed., "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities," London, 1898]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper