aegis

Sometimes e·gis

[ee-jis]

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

aegis

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of aegis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of aegis¹

C18: from Latin, from Greek aigis shield of Zeus, perhaps related to aig-, stem of aix goat

Example Sentences

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

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The government has sought to reassure minority communities in the country that it has abandoned its hardline past, even as fighters working under its aegis have engaged in several bouts of sectarian violence.

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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.

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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.

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

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Related Words

• auspices www.thesaurus.com
• patronage 
• sponsorship