ETYM Old Eng. air, eir, French air, Latin aër, from Greek aer, air, mist, for aeier, from root ai to blow, breathe. Related to Aëry, Debonair, Malaria, Wind.
(Homonyms: err, heir).
1. A mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing.
2. The atmosphere; wind.
3. The region above the ground.
4. A distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing: SYN. aura, atmosphere.
5. A distinctive manner.
6. Medium for radio and television broadcasting; SYN. airwave.
7. (Archaic) The gaseous substance once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe.
ETYM Latin aspectus, from aspicere, aspectum, to look at; ad + spicere, specere, to look, akin to Eng. spy.
1. A characteristic to be considered.
2. A distinct feature or element in a problem; SYN. facet.r />
3. The beginning or duration or completion or repetition of the action of a verb.
In Earth sciences the direction in which a slope faces. In the northern hemisphere a slope with a southerly aspect receives more sunshine than other slopes and is therefore better suited for growing crops that require many hours of sunshine in order to ripen successfully. Vineyards in northern Europe are usually situated on south-facing slopes.
ETYM Old Eng. contenance, countenaunce, demeanor, composure, French contenance demeanor, from Latin continentia continence, Late Lat. also, demeanor, from Latin continere to hold together, repress, contain. Related to Contain, Continence.
1. The appearance conveyed by a person's face; SYN. visage.
2. The human face ('kisser' and 'smiler' and 'mug' are informal terms for 'face'); SYN. physiognomy, visage, kisser, smiler, mug.
ETYM French mine; perh. from sane source as mener to lead; cf. Eng. demean, menace, mine, n.
1. Appearance.
2. Conduct or demeanor.
3. Air or look; manner.
ETYM Old Eng. fisonomie, phisonomie, fisnamie, Old Fren. phisonomie, French physiognomie, physiognomonie, from Greek; physis nature + gnossos knowldege.
1. The art and science of discovering the predominant temper, and other characteristic qualities of the mind, by the outward appearance, especially by the features of the face.
2. The face or countenance, with respect to the temper of the mind; particular configuration, cast, or expression of countenance, as denoting character.
3. The general appearance or aspect of a thing, without reference to its scientific characteristics.
General appearance of anything, especially the face.
Face; facial expression; divination of character or fortune from face.