1. noun /ɛə,ɛɹ/
a) The atmospheric substance above the surface of the earth which animals breathe, formerly considered to be a single substance, one of the four basic elements of ancient philosophy and one of the five basic elements of Eastern traditions.
The karate instructor said "air is the one thing you cant go five minutes without; when you spar, you have to remember to breathe."
b) Now understood as the mixture of gases comprising the earths atmosphere.
The flock of birds took to the air.
2. verb /ɛə,ɛɹ/
Its getting quite stuffy in this room: lets open the windows and air it.
b) To let fresh air into a room or a building, to ventilate.
Thus, in spite of all opposition, the rural and urban assemblies retained the germ of local government, and in spite of the dual control, as the result of which much of their influence was nullified, they did have a certain value in airing abuses and suggesting improvements.
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