aegis

American  

[ee-jis] / ˈi dʒɪs /

Sometimes egis

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its center the head of the Gorgon.

2. protection; support.

   under the imperial aegis.

3. sponsorship; auspices.

   a debate under the aegis of the League of Women Voters.

   Synonyms:

   patronage

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aegis British  

/ ˈiːdʒɪs /

noun

1. sponsorship or protection; auspices (esp in the phrase under the aegis of )

2. Greek myth the shield of Zeus, often represented in art as a goatskin

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Etymology

Origin of aegis

First recorded in 1425–1475; late Middle English, from Latin, from Greek aigís “shield of Zeus or Athena,” probably from aig- (stem of aíx “goat”) + -is noun suffix, from a type of cloak or shield made of goatskin

Example Sentences

This task is left to a 170-plus member “committee” under the aegis of the IMO, and good luck to any voter in Boston, Berlin or Bangkok who wants to influence that debate.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many of them believed that America was well served by the kind of work done under the institution’s aegis.

From Salon

Newer material like “Cry for Me” and “São Paolo” showed that, whatever his exhaustion with this aegis, he’s got tons of startling ideas still brimming.

From Los Angeles Times

Peacekeeping forces - under the aegis of either the United Nations or Nato - traditionally are impartial, operate with the consent of both parties and use force only to defend themselves.

From BBC

But I think they were able to justify it under the aegis of anticommunism.

From Salon

Related Words

• auspices
• patronage
• sponsorship