aerial English · revision 15042

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1545|origins=grc ἀήρ}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈeə.ri.əl/, US /ˈer.i.əl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[la|āerius|t=airy, lofty]] and [[-al]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[grc|ἀέριος|tr=aérios|t=of the air]], from [[m|grc|ἀήρ|tr=aḗr|t=air]] (see [[air]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) The spelling aereal comes from the variant [[m|la|aereus]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Pertaining to the air: about 1545 in Merriam-Webster, about 1600 in Etymonline, 1604 in Shakespeare's Othello in Barnhart and the OED.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The NODE gives the first sense as thin as air, imaginary.^(NODE 1998) Light as air is from 1606, insubstantial from 1610, existing or moving in the air from 1621, and consisting of air from 1664.^(OED 1989) ''Aerial perspective'' is from 1731.^(OED 1989) By means of aircraft is from 1915,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and the noun, a radio or television antenna, from 1902.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1545 – aerial.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1604 – of the air.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1610 – insubstantial.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1902 – an aerial, antenna.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1915 – by means of aircraft.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, in or caused by the air.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Existing, moving or operating in the air: ''aerial roots''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of, for or by means of aircraft: ''aerial combat''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Light and delicate; [[ethereal]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Imaginary; insubstantial.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Reaching high into the air; lofty.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(chiefly British)'' An [[antenna]] for radio or television.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[aerially]]

+ * [[aerialness]]

+ * [[avigation]]

+ * [[aerialist]]

+ * [[aeriality]]

+ * [[subaerial]]

+ * [[aerial ladder]]

+ * [[aerial railway]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[air]]

+ * [[aero-]]

+ * [[aerobic]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}