aegis
or e·gis
[ ee-jis ]
/ ˈi dʒɪs /
noun
Classical Mythology.
the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its center the head of the Gorgon.
protection; support: under the imperial aegis.
sponsorship; auspices: a debate under the aegis of the League of Women Voters.
Origin of aegis
1695–1705; < Latin < Greek
aigís shield of Zeus or Athena, probably from
aig- (stem of
aíx goat) +
-is noun suffix, from a type of shield made of goatskin
Words nearby aegis
aegean sea,
aegeus,
aegina,
aegir,
aegirite,
aegis,
aegisthus,
aegium,
aegospotami,
aegrotat,
aegyptopithecus
Example sentences from the Web for aegis
British Dictionary definitions for aegis
aegis
sometimes US egis
/ (ˈiːdʒɪs) /
noun
sponsorship or protection; auspices (esp in the phrase under the aegis of)
Greek myth
the shield of Zeus, often represented in art as a goatskin
Word Origin for aegis
C18: from Latin, from Greek
aigis shield of Zeus, perhaps related to
aig-, stem of
aix goat