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Air

Definition: Air

Air

Adjective

1. Relating to or characteristic of or occurring in the air; "air war"; "air safety"; "air travel".

Noun

1. A mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of; "air pollution"; "a smell of chemicals in the air"; "open a window and let in some air"; "I need some fresh air".

2. Travel via aircraft; "air travel involves too much waiting in airports"; "if you've time to spare go by air".

3. The region above the ground; "her hand stopped in mid air"; "he threw the ball into the air".

4. A distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing: "an air of mystery"; "the house had a neglected air"; "an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters"; "the place had an aura of romance".

5. Medium for radio and television broadcasting; "the program was on the air from 9 til midnight"; "the president used the airwaves to take his message to the people".

6. A slight wind (usually refreshing); "the breeze was cooled by the lake"; "as he waited he could feel the air on his neck".

7. A succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence; "she was humming an air from Beethoven".

8. (archaic) once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles).

Verb

1. Expose to fresh air, as of old clothing; "aerate your old sneakers".

2. Be broadcast; "This show will air Saturdays at 2 P.M.".

3. Broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television; "We cannot air this X-rated song".

4. Make public; "She aired her opinions on welfare".

5. Expose to warm or heated air, so as to dry; "Air linen".

6. Expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen; "air the old winter clothes"; "air out the smoke-filled rooms".

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
 

Date "air" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1010. (references)

 

Specialty Definition: Air

DomainDefinition

Satire

AIR, n. A nutritious substance supplied by a bountiful Providence for the fattening of the poor. Source: Devil's Dictionary.

Computing

AIR A future infrared standard from IrDA. AIR will provide in-room multipoint to multipoint connectivity. AIR supports a data rate of 4 Mbps at a distance of 4 metres, and 250 Kbps at up to 8 metres. It is designed for cordless connections to multiple peripherals and meeting room collaboration applications. See also IrDA Data and IrDA Control (1999-10-14). Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing.

Aerospace

1. The mixture of gases comprising the earth's atmosphere. The percent by volume of those gases found in relatively constant amount in dry air near sea level in very nearly as follows: ELEMENT % nitrogen (N2) 78.084 oxygen (O2) 20.9476 argon (A) 0.934 carbon dioxide (CO2) 0.0314 (variable) neon (Ne) 0.001818 helium (He) 0.000524 methane (CH4) 0.0002 (variable) krypton (Kr) 0.000114 hydrogen (H2) 0.00005 nitruous oxide (N2O) 0.00005 xenon (Xe) 0.0000087 This table is from the 1965 edition of the Aerospace Dictionary. In addition to the above constituents there are many variable constituents. Chief of these is water vapor, which may vary from zero to volume percentages close to 4 percent. Ozone, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, iodine, and other trace gases occur in small and varying amounts. The above composition of dry air is true to about 90 kilometers. See upper atmosphere.2. The realm or medium in which aircraft operate. (references)

Bible

Air the atmosphere, as opposed to the higher regions of the sky (1 Thess. 4:17; Rev. 9:2; 16:17). This word occurs once as the rendering of the Hebrew _ruah_ (Job 41:16); elsewhere it is the rendering of _shamaiyim_, usually translated "heavens." The expression "to speak into the air" (1 Cor. 14:9) is a proverb denoting to speak in vain, as to "beat the air" (1 Cor. 9:26) denotes to labour in vain. Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary.

Census

(American Indian Reservation) - An American Indian area with boundaries established by treaty, statute, and/or executive or court order. The reservations and their boundaries are identified for the Census Bureau by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Federally-recognized Tribes) and state governments (state-recognized Tribes). (references)

Dream Interpretation

This dream denotes a withering state of things, and bodes no good to the dreamer.
To dream of breathing hot air suggests that you will be influenced to evil by oppression.
To feel cold air, denotes discrepancies in your business, and incompatibility in domestic relations.
To feel oppressed with humidity, some curse will fall on you that will prostrate and close down on your optimistical views of the future. Source: Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted ....

Energy

The mixture of gases that surrounds the earth and forms its atmosphere, composed of, by volume, 21 percent oxygen, 78 percent nitrogen. (references)

Literature

Air an element. Anaxagoras held air to be the primary form of matter.
Aristotle gives Fire, Air, Earth, and Water as the four elements.
Air a manner, as "the air of the court," the "air of gentility;" "a good air" (manner, deportment) means the pervading habit.
Air in music, is that melody which predominates and gives its character to the piece. Source: Brewer's Dictionary.

Military & Defense

In artillery and naval gunfire support a spotting, or an observation, by a spotter or an observer to indicate that a burst or group of bursts occured before impact. Source: European Union. (references)

Mining

A. The mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth and forms its atmosphere; composed by volume of 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen; by weight about 23% oxygen and 77% nitrogen. It also contains about 0.03% carbon dioxide, some aqueous vapor, argon, and other gases b. The current of atmospheric air circulating through and ventilating the workings of a mine. c. Atmospheric air delivered under compression to bottom of drill hole through the drill stem and used in place of water to clear the drill bit of cuttings and to blow them out of the borehole d. Air piped under compression to work areas and used to operate drillingor mining machinery. See also:air circulation. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Specialty Definition: Air

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

simple:air

Air is a name for the mixture of gasses present in the Earth's atmosphere.

Dry air is roughly 79% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and 1% argon. Air may contain 0-7 % water vapour (the 79%, 20% and 1% become accordingly a little less), and less than 1% carbon dioxide. The composition of the air changes with altitude; also exhaled air is different from what is inhaled.

Pressure decreases with altitude; this is why aircraft have pressurised cabins. The air pressure inside aircraft cabins is maintained at a pressure higher than that outside, for the comfort of the passengers and crew, although it is still slightly lower than at ground level. With a decrease in total air pressure, the partial pressure of all the component gasses (including oxygen) decreases. Mountain climbers must carry a supply of oxygen on their way up to the summit of high mountains to ensure the partial pressure of oxygen in their blood is maintained.

Compressed air is often used in scuba diving, when diving fairly close to the surface. Air is one of the classical elements, and is associated with many other concepts, such as the sword suit in the tarot. Air is a French electronica band. Their acclaimed first album Moon Safari was followed by releases like Premiers Symptomes, 10,000 Hz Legend and the soundtrack to the film The Virgin Suicides.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Air."

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Air (band)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Air is a French electronica band. Their acclaimed first album Moon Safari was followed by the release of Premiers Symptomes, 10,000 Hz Legend and the soundtrack to the film The Virgin Suicides. Their music can be described as jazzy trip-hop.

Discography

External links

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Air (classical element)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Air is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. Air is considered to be both hot and wet, and according to Plato is associated with the octahedron.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Air (classical element)."

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Air Force

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

An Air Force is a Military organisation that primarily operates in air-based war. They typically use a combination of Fighters, Bombers, Helicopters and other aircraft.

Most (but not all) armed forces make considerable organisational distinction between the land-based warfare of an Army, the sea-based warfare of a Navy, and the air-based warfare of an Air Force - often splitting the three components into mostly independent forces.

Air forces of the world

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Air pollution

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Air pollution is a broad term applied to all chemical and biological agents that modify the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.

Some definitions also consider physical perturbations such as noise pollution, heat, radiation or light pollution as air pollution. Some definitions include the term harmful as a requisite to consider a change to the atmosphere as pollution.

Causes

The sources of air pollution are divided in two groups: anthropogenic (caused by human activity) and natural.

Natural sources include:

Anthropogenic sources are mostly related to burning different kinds of fuel. They include:

Contaminants

Contaminants of air can be divided in particles and gases.

Particles are classified by their sizes. A usual division is in PM10 and PM2.5. PM10 are particles whose size is less than 10 microns (0.01 mm); they are dangerous to humans because they can be breathed and reach the lungs. PM2.5 are particles whose size is less than 2.5 microns (0.0025 mm), and they are even more dangerous because they can pass the alveoli and reach the blood.

Important pollutant gases include:

The worst single incident of air pollution to occur in the United States occurred in Donora, Pennsylvania in late October, 1948

See also:

Further Reading

Sources

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Secretary of State for Air

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

The Secretary of State for Air was a cabinet level British position, in charge of the Air Ministry. It was created on 2 January 1918 and charged with the creation of the Royal Air Force. In 1966 the Air Ministry was incorporated into the Ministry of Defence and the position of Secretary of State for Air was abolished.

Secretaries of State for Air, 1918-1966

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Abbreviations & Acronyms: Air

The following table is compiled from various sources, across various languages. When English abbreviations or acronyms come from a non-English source, this is noted.
EntrySourceExpressionField

AIR

DanishSærprogram for forskning og teknologisk udvikling inden for landbrug og agroindustri(1990-1994)Food & Agriculture, Engineering & Technology

AIR

DutchSpecifiek prgramma voor onderzoek en technologische ontwikkeling op het gebied van de landbouw en de agroindustrie(1990-1994)Food & Agriculture, Engineering & Technology

AIR

EnglishAirworthinessN/A

AIR

FrenchProgramme spécifique de recherche et de développement technologique dans les domaines de l'agriculture et de l'agroindustrie(1990-1994)Food & Agriculture, Engineering & Technology

AIR

GermanSpezifisches Programm für Forschung und technologische Entwicklung im Bereich der Landwirtschaft und Agrarindustrie(1990-1994)Food & Agriculture, Engineering & Technology

AIR

ItalianProgramma specìfico di ricerca e di sviluppo tecnologico nel settore dell'agricoltura e dell'agroindustria(1990-1994)Food & Agriculture, Engineering & Technology

AIR

PortuguesePrograma Especifico de Investigacão e Desenvolvimento Tecnologico no dominio da Agricultura e da Agro-industria(1990-1994)Food & Agriculture, Engineering & Technology
AIR ICPEnglishAerosol Ionic Redistribution-Inductively Coupled PlasmaN/A
AIIEnglishAir India InternationalN/A

Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references).

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Synonyms: Air

Synonyms: air(a) (adj), air travel (n), airwave (n), atmosphere (n), aura (n), aviation (n), breeze (n), gentle wind (n), line (n), melodic line (n), melodic phrase (n), melody (n), strain (n), tune (n), zephyr (n), aerate (v), air out (v), bare (v), beam (v), broadcast (v), publicise (v), publicize (v), send (v), transmit (v), vent (v), ventilate (v). (additional references)
Antonyms: land(a) (adj), sea(a) (adj). (additional references)

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Synonyms within Context: Air

ContextSynonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus).

Beginning

Handsel; take the first step, lay the first stone, cut the first turf; break ground, break the ice, break cover; pass the Rubicon, cross the Rubicon; open fire, open the ball; ventilate, air; undertake.

Fashion

Manners, breeding; (politeness); air, demeanor; (appearance); savoir faire; gentlemanliness, gentility, decorum, propriety, biens_ance; conventions of society; Mrs. Grundy; punctilio; form, formality; etiquette, point of etiquette; dress.

Gaseity

Elastic fluid, gas, air, vapor, ether, steam, essence, fume, reek, effluvium, flatus; cloud; ammonia, ammoniacal gas; volatile alkali; vacuum, partial vacuum.

Levity

Feather, dust, mote, down, thistle, down, flue, cobweb, gossamer, straw, cork, bubble, balloon; float, buoy; ether, air.

Life

Respiration, wind; breath of life, breath of one's nostrils; oxygen, air.

Refreshment

Verb: brace; (strengthen); reinvigorate; air, freshen up, refresh, recruit; repair; (restore); fan, refocillate; refresh the inner man.

Unsubstantiality

Shadow; phantom;(fallacy of vision); dream; (imagination); ignis fatuus; (luminary); " such stuff as dreams are made of "; air, thin air, vapor; bubble; " baseless fabric of a vision "; mockery.

Wind

Noun: wind, draught, flatus, afflatus, efflation, eluvium; air; breath, breath of air; puff, whiff, zephyr; blow, breeze, drift; aura; stream, current, jet stream; undercurrent.

Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus.

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Crosswords: Air

English words defined with "air": active air defense, Air bed, Air brake, air bubble, Air castle, air cell, Air chamber, air cleaner, Air cock, Air compressor, Air Corps, Air crossing, air current, Air cushion, Air drill, air embolism, Air engine, air filter, air force, air force academy, Air fountain, air gas, air group, air gun, air hammer, air hole, air horn, air hose, air letter, Air lock, air mail, air mass, air out, Air pipe, air plant, air pocket, Air poise, air pollution, air pump, air reconnaissance, air sac, air sickness, air spring, Air stove, air terminal, Air thread, Air trap, Air trunk, Air vessel, air wave, Air wayCastle in the air, Complemental air, compressed airin the airliquid airon air, open airpassive air defense, puff of airReserve air, Residual airStationary air, Supplemental airThe open air, Tidal air, To take the air. (references)
Etymologies containing "air": Windage. (references)
Non-English Usage: "Air" is also a word in the following languages with English translations in parentheses.

Afrikaan (appearance, aspect, look, sight, view), Dutch (appearance, aspect, expression, look, sight, view), French (Air, appearance, aspect, expression, look, sight, view), Indonesian (JUICE, water), Irish (on, on him, on it), Malay (water), Scottish (about, after, on, prep. after; precedes v.n. with the force of the Eng. past, prep. before; precedes asp.con. of noun in idiomatic, prep.pron. on him; carries the accent, upon).

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Modern Usage: Air

DomainUsage

Screenplays

Do you think that's air you're breathing now (The Matrix; writing credit: Andy Wachowski; Larry Wachowski)

In the spring of 1988, I returned to New Orleans, and as soon as I smelled the air, I knew I was home (Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles; writing credit: Anne Rice)

It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust, the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring; writing credit: Frances Walsh)

What are you gonna do, are you gonna let the air outta our tires (Speed 2: Cruise Control; writing credit: Graham Yost; Jan de Bont)

You'd take a pain in the arse for air miles (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; writing credit: Guy Ritchie)

Lyrics

Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe (The Air That I Breathe; performing artist: Hollies)

Had me fighting for air (YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG; performing artist: AC/DC)

And your feet flyin' up in the air, ("Walk This Way"; performing artist: Aerosmith)

Now throw your hands up in the air (Everybody(Backstreet's Back); performing artist: BACKSTREET BOYS)

Threw your arms in the air and said you're crazy (One Week; performing artist: Barenaked Ladies)

Clever

There are no substitutes for fresh air, sunshine, and exercise. (references; author: unknown)

More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in air crashes. (references; author: unknown)

The similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots? If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies. If ATC screws up, the pilot dies. (references; author: unknown)

Life is a roller coaster. You can either scream every time you hit a bump, or you can throw your hands up in the air and enjoy it. (references; author: unknown)

Movie/TV Titles

Air (2002)

Air! (1972)

During and After the Air Raid (1970)

Open Air Bedroom (1970)

Thin Air (1969)

Song Titles

Air That I Breathe (performing artist: Hollies)

THE AIR THAT I BREATHE  (performing artist: Hollies )

LOVE IS IN THE AIR (performing artist: JOHN PAUL YOUNG)

IN THE AIR TONIGHT  (performing artist: Phil Collins )

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Commercial Usage: Air

DomainTitle

References

  • Air Canada: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

  • Air Express International Corporation: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

  • Air Liquide: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

  • Air Methods Corporation: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

  • Air New Zealand Ltd: International Competitive Benchmarks and Financial Gap Analysis (reference)

    (more reference examples)

  

Books

  • Air Force One (reference)

  • Dance upon the Air (Three Sisters Island Trilogy) (reference)

  • Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: More Techniques of Natural Magic (Llewellyn's Practical Magick Series) (reference)

  • Olivetti Builts Modern Architecture in Ivrea: Guide to the Open Air Museum (Skira Library of Architecture) (reference)

  • Spiritual Fresh Air Through Inspiring Discoveries (reference)

    (more book examples)

  

Periodicals

  

Theater & Movies

  

Music

  

High Tech

  

Consumer Goods

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Image Slideshow: Air

Photos:
Air

More pictures...

Illustrations:
Air

More pictures...

Computer Images:
Air

More pictures...

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Photo Album: Air

ThumbnailDescription & CreditThumbnailDescription & Credit

A laminar airflow unit is a protective covering for people with suppressed immune systems. In this germ-free environment the air flows out one way and the germs cannot re-enter the system. Shown are a nurse and a child inside the protective unit. The nurse is reading to the child. Credit: Unknown photographer/artist.

Shown is a child running to catch a baseball out of the air. Credit: Linda Bartlett (photographer).

Air pollution is a problem in many of the world's large cities. Credit: CDC.

Discoloration of air due to heavy air pollution. Credit: CDC.

Pathfinder Air Bags. Credit: NASA.

Lockheed Vega Air Express. Credit: NASA.

Akpatok Island lies in Ungava Bay in northern Quebec, Canada. Accessible only by air, Akpatok Island rises out of the water as sheer cliffs that soar 500 to 800 feet (150 to 243km) above the sea surface. The island is an important sanctuary for cliff-nesting seabirds. Numerous ice floes around the island attract walrus and whales, making Akpatok a traditional hunting ground for native Inuit people. Credit: NASA.

Carl I. Aslakson on right As Colonel in Army Air Forces. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection.

Section of mosaic of photos along Atlantic shore Cooperative project with Army Air Service C. G. Quillian was C&GS officer in charge of running project. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection.

Hilo from the air after taking off for Maui. Credit: America's Coastlines.

Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

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Digital Photo Gallery: Air
 

"Air conditionning" by Ced Dec
Commentary: "Air conditionning."
"Skateboard Spring Air" by James O
Commentary: "My friend kyle ( http://mediaminded.tv) took this pic of me in the spring of 2003."

Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers.

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Sounds Captioned with "Air".

PlayCaptionPlayCaption
An excerpt replicating the sounds of flight through air and space.Hair dryer whirling and blowing hot air.
Air conditioner being turned on and motorized fan begins to blow cool air.Air travel at high speed as heard from the cockpit of an airplane.
Fireball flying through the air.Air hissing; losing air pressure; the sound of an aerosol can letting out its contents.
An arrow flying off of the bow through the air.Someone blowing air into an empty bottle.
Air hose blowing high-pressured air.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Familiar Quotations: Air

AuthorQuotation

Air Force

If it works, it's obsolete.

Anthony H.g. Fokker

All except very short distance, high class, passenger travel will be by air in the days to come.

Christopher Marlowe

O, thou art fairer than the evening air clad in the beauty of a thousand stars.

Henrik Ibsen

Castles in the air - -they are so easy to take refuge in. And so easy to build as well.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Water, air, and cleanness are the chief articles in my pharmacy.

O. Henry

A straw vote only shows which way the hot air blows.

Sir Philip Sidney

The ingredients of health and long life, are great temperance, open air, easy labor, and little care.

William Pitt

The press is like the air, a chartered libertine.

William Shakespeare

I durst not laugh for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Historic Usage: Air

AuthorDateQuotation

Communist Manifesto

1848

All that is solid melts into air, all that is holy is profaned, and man is at last compelled to face with sober senses, his real conditions of life, and his relations with his kind. (reference)

Treaty of Versailles

1919

Dirigibles able to take the air, being manufactured, repaired or assembled. (reference)

Winston S. Churchill

1946

This would perhaps double the mobility of the American Navy and Air Force. ("Iron Curtain" Speech)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Use in Literature: Air

TitleAuthorQuote

Emma

Austen, Jane

His manner had no air of study or exaggeration

Sylvie and Bruno

Carroll, Lewis

The Chancellor bowed, but with a very uneasy air.

A Christmas Carol

Dickens, Charles

The air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and thither in restless haste, and moaning as they went

Scarlet Letter

Hawthorne, Nathaniel

Hester Prynne, meanwhile, kept her place upon the pedestal of shame, with glazed eyes, and an air of weary indifference

Les Miserables

Hugo, Victor

Javert was evidently somewhat disconcerted by the completely natural air and the tranquillity of Monsieur Madeleine

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Joyce, James

But the notes were long and shrill and whirring, unlike the cry of vermin, falling a third or a fourth and trifled as the flying beaks clove the air.

King Richard III

Shakespeare, William

Well are you welcome to the open air.

Grapes of Wrath

Steinbeck, John

The two men walked in silence and smelled the dust their feet kicked into the air.

Gulliver's Travels

Swift, Jonathan

My remedy was to cut them in pieces with my knife as they flew in the air, wherein my dexterity was much admired

Walden

Thoreau, Henry David

I would rather sit in the open air, for no dust gathers on the grass, unless where man has broken ground

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Non-Fiction Usage: Air

SubjectTopicQuote

Health

Let the area air dry after washing. (references)

Some devices measure air flow electronically. (references)

Air conditioners help to provide an even temperature. (references)

Business

It is specialized in regional air travel. (references)

The UAE air force has about 1,800 personnel. (references)

A proposal is in the air for the adoption of limiters. (references)

Civil Liberties

Oman

They do not air any politically controversial material. (references)

South Africa

The station now has women on its board and also on the air. (references)

Ghana

Most stations are independent and air a wide range of viewpoints. (references)

Economic History

Luxembourg

Luxembourg has no navy or air force. (references)

Bolivia

USP Air Cargo also services Bolivia. (references)

Colombia

Rules apply to both air and surface shipments. (references)

Human Rights

Ecuador

The protesters largely destroyed Tena air base. (references)

Peru

The detainees are not allowed outside for fresh air and have restricted access to bathrooms. (references)

Bolivia

Because of adverse wind conditions, the security forces fired warning shots into the air instead of tear gas. (references)

Indigenous People

Denmark

In 1999 a court ruled that the Government unjustly resettled Greenland Inuits in 1953 in order to accommodate the expansion of a U.S. Air Force base in northwest Greenland. (references)

Minorities

Ethiopia

Police shot into the air after they were called in to restore order. (references)

Peru

Both the navy and the air force are believed widely to follow unstated policies that exclude blacks from the officer corps. (references)

Political Economy

Honduras

The Honduran Armed Forces (HOAF) include the army, the air force, and the navy. (references)

KUWAIT

For perishable imports arriving via air, land or sea, customs clearance is prompt. (references)

Madagascar

The Ministry of Armed Forces oversees the army, the air force, the navy, and the gendarmerie. (references)

Trade

Spain

Airlines may handle the inspection of air shipments. (references)

Argentina

It is suggested that the packing list be included in every air shipment. (references)

Bolivia

Check with your air carrier for further information and the appropriate forms. (references)

Travel

Philippines

The air in Metro Manila is heavily polluted. (references)

Maldives

Air taxis stop flying one hour before sunset. (references)

Trinidad

Air ambulance service is available for emergencies. (references)

Women

Israel and the occupied territories

In response to a High Court of Justice ruling, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) since 1996 has permitted women to enter pilot training. (references)

Worker Rights

Togo

Air Afrique workers held a strike at Lome's airport during the year. (references)

Cambodia

Personnel in the air and maritime transportation industries are not subject fully to the law, but are free to form unions. (references)

Lexicography

Devil's Dictionary

SYLPH, n. An immaterial but visible being that inhabited the air when the air was an element and before it was fatally polluted with factory smoke, sewer gas and similar products of civilization. Sylphs were allied to gnomes, nymphs and salamanders, which dwelt, respectively, in earth, water and fire, all now insalubrious. Sylphs, like fowls of the air, were male and female, to no purpose, apparently, for if they had progeny they must have nested in accessible places, none of the chicks having ever been seen.

Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

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Spoken Usage: Air

SpeakerPhrase(s)

Art Linkletter

It's like dancing in the air. When you are skiing fast down the slope, you just put a little pressure on one side and you go to the other side, and it's just the speed, you're just flying.

Bill Maher

Well when this queen story broke today, I said, I have got to get back on the air because I don't know what.

Carol Burnett

Sure I have. I mean, I've done a lot of awful stuff on our own show. One time we had such a bad show that I apologized on the air to people watching it.

Joe Esposito

Well, this guy in the Air Force was a friend of ours. And he brought Priscilla to the house to meet Elvis because she wanted to meet Elvis.

John McCain

That is true. And in Vietnam, they did some of the most dangerous flying with Air America. And they did some other very dangerous work as well. And I'm sure that there are many of their stories that will never be told.

John Walsh

I don't think so. I really think that the media, you know, looking to fill a lot of air time, is saying, Well, this country was built on freedoms and the First Amendment rights and, you know, you'll be accusing your neighbor, et cetera.

Marlo Thomas

You are wonderful. I said it when we were off the air, and I want to say that you are loving and generous, and you like women, and it's a pleasure. And whoever the women is in your life is very lucky.

Robert Novak

Mr. Commissioner, just before the Fourth of July holiday began, your boss, Mayor Bloomberg, made a comment that I'd like to put on the air for the viewers to listen to.

Rush Limbaugh

In Hollywood, many times decisions on what programs to put on the air and what people to hire come down to one question.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Speeches: Air

SpeakerTermPhrase(s)

John Adams

1797-1801How few of the human race have ever enjoyed an opportunity of making an election of government, more than of air, soil, or climate, for themselves or their children!

Harry S. Truman

1945-1953Those who fought on land, those who fought on the sea, and those who fought in the air deserve equal credit.

John F. Kennedy

1961-1963Its course was direct from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska to the North Pole and return.

Lyndon B. Johnson

1963-1969Thus we began limited air action against military targets in North Vietnam.

Jimmy Carter

1977-1981We are greatly accelerating our ability to reinforce Western Europe with massive ground and air forces in a crisis.

Ronald Reagan

1981-1989Regulatory reform legislation, a responsible clean air act, and passage of enterprise zone legislation will also create new incentives for jobs and opportunity.

Bill Clinton

1993-2001Clean water and clean air.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

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Usage Frequency: Air

"Air" is generally used as a noun (singular) -- approximately 99.23% of the time. "Air" is used about 19,027 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted)
Parts of SpeechPercentUsage per
100 Million Words
Rank in English
Noun (singular)99.23%18,881483
Noun (proper)0.62%11829,674
Lexical Verb (infinitive)0.11%2078,262
Unclassified Items0.03%5157,705
Lexical Verb (base form)0.02%3202,518
                    Total100.00%19,027N/A

Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.

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Usage in Company Names: Air

CountryNameCountryName
Austria

Lauda Air Luftfahrt AG

Canada

Air Canada

France

Air Liquide

Japan

Air Liquide Japan, Ltd.

New Zealand

Air New Zealand Ltd

Pakistan

Bawany Air Products Limited

South Korea

Dooray Air Metal

United Kingdom

Air Partner Plc

USA

Air Express International Corporation

 (more examples...)  

Source: compiled by the editor from Icon Group International, Inc.

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Expressions: Air

Expressions using "air": a change of air a military air achieve air superiority active air defense admission lead air admit air aid to air navigation air admission air admission valve air advertising air alert Air Ambulances air arm air assault air assault division air attache air attack air augmented rocket air bag air bag restraint system Air Bags air balance chamber Air balloon air base air bath air beacon Air bed air bells Air bladder air blast air blast transformer air bleed air blower air bomber air borne air borne troops air bottle Air brake air breaker air brick air bridge Air brush air bubble air bump air cadet air capacitor air cargo air cargo service provider air cargo transport air carrier air cartographic camera air cartographic photography air case air case buoyancy tank air casing Air castle Air cell Air chamber air channel air chemistry air chief marshal Air Chief Marshall air chock air circulation air cleaner Air cock air combat air commodore air communication air company Air compressor air conditioned air conditioner Air Conditioning air conduction air cone air consignment note air contamination air control air control center air controller air cooled air cooler air cooler of generator Air cooling air core chocke air core coil air corps air corridor air cover air crash air crew air crossing air current Air cushion air cushion restraint system air cushion vehicle air damper air defence air defende air defense. Additional references.

Hyphenated Usage

Beginning with "air": air-bag, air-bags, air-barrage, air-base, air-based, air-bases, air-battle, air-bed, air-beds, air-bladders, air-blast, air-blown, air-blue, air-borne, air-bottle, air-bottles, air-brained, air-brake jack house, air-braked, air-brakes, air-braking, air-breathing, air-bricks, Air-britain, air-brush, air-brushed, air-brushing, air-bubble, air-bubbles, Air-built, air-bus, air-can, air-car, air-carried troops, air-carrying, air-catching, air-cell, air-cells, air-chills, air-circuit, air-classifier, air-combat, air-conditiioning, air-conditining, air-condition, air-conditioned, air-conditioner, air-conditioners, air-conditioning, air-conditioning duct, air-conditioning plant, air-conditioning system, air-conditioning unit, air-conduction, air-cool, Air-cooled, air-cored, air-crash, air-crew, air-crews, air-current, air-currents, air-cushion, air-cushion vehicle, air-cushioned, air-cushioned vehicle, air-date, air-defence, air-delivered, air-derived data, air-directed, air-dispersal, air-displacing, Air-drawn, air-dried, air-driven, air-drop, air-droppable, air-drops, air-dry, air-drying, air-empire, air-entraining, air-fall, air-fare, air-feed, air-ferry, air-fields, air-filed flight plan, air-filled, air-filters, Air-filtration, air-flight, air-flow, air-fluid, air-force, air-force officer, air-forces, air-frame, air-frames, Air-france, air-free, air-freight, air-freighted, air-freighter, air-freshener, air-fresheners, air-fuel, air-gage, air-gap, air-gargoyles, air-ground, air-ground communication, air-ground control radio station, air-ground data link system, air-ground operations system, air-gun, air-gunner, air-guns, air-gusts, air-head, air-headed, air-hellair, air-hell-lair, air-hoist, air-hole, air-holes, air-horns, air-host, air-hostess, air-hostesses, air-hunger, Air-india, air-inflated, air-ing, air-intake, air-intercept, air-interception, air-interception radar, air-ioniser, air-jet, air-jets, air-kiss, air-land, air-landed, air-launched, Air-law, air-letter, air-letters, air-lift, air-lifted, air-lighting, Air-line, air-lines, air-links, air-lock, air-locked, air-locking, air-log, air-mail, air-mail postage, air-map, air-marshals, air-mass, air-mattress, air-minded, air-mobile, air-monger, air-monitoring, air-movements, air-nair, air-naval, air-o-bian, air-obics, air-only, air-operated, air-operator, air-our, air-outlet, air-package, air-packed, air-passages, air-phone, air-photographs, air-photography, air-pistol, air-plants, air-pocket, air-pockets, air-pollutant, air-pollution, air-port, air-power, air-powered, air-pressure, air-puff, air-pump, air-punching, air-purifying, air-quality, air-quenching command, air-quenching-command, air-raid, air-raid alarm, air-raid alert, air-raid drill, air-raid precautions, air-raid reporting control ship, air-raid shelter, air-raid warden, air-raid warning, air-raids, air-reinforcement, air-resistance, air-rifle, air-rink, air-route facilities, air-route network, air-routes, air-sac, air-sacs, air-safety, air-sampling, air-scream, air-sea, air-sea base, air-seal, air-seasoned, air-seeding, air-sensitive, air-separator, air-shaft, air-sick, air-sickness, air-silencer, Air-slacked, Air-slacked lime, air-slake, air-slaked, air-smoothed, air-sniffers, air-sowing, air-space, air-spaced, air-spaces, air-speed, air-splitting, air-spraying, air-sprung, air-station, air-steam, Air-step, air-stewardess, air-stove, air-stream, air-strike, air-strip, air-sucking, air-suction, air-supplied, air-supremacy, air-surveillance, air-suspension, air-taxi, air-tear, air-tested, air-tester, air-thermals, air-threads, air-ticket, Air-tight, air-tight container, air-time, air-to-air, air-to-air missile, air-to-ground, air-to-ground communication, air-to-ground missile, air-to-sea, air-to-surface, air-to-surface missile, air-traffic, air-traffic-control, air-transport, air-transported, air-travel, air-unit, air-vent, air-vents, air-vice, air-war, air-warden,