Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary -- Volume ABAir"-tight`, n. A stove the draft of which can be almost entirely shut off. [Colloq. U. S.] Air" ves`sel (?). A vessel, cell, duct, or tube containing or conducting air; as the air vessels of insects, birds, plants, etc.; the air vessel of a pump, engine, etc. For the latter, see Air chamber. The air vessels of insects are called tracheæ, of plants spiral vessels. Air"ward (?), Air"wards (?), adv. Toward the air; upward. [R.] Keats. Air"wom`an (?), n. A woman who ascends or flies in an aircraft. Air"y (?), a. 1. Consisting of air; as, an airy substance; the airy parts of bodies. 2. Relating or belonging to air; high in air; aërial; as, an airy flight. "The airy region." Milton. 3. Open to a free current of air; exposed to the air; breezy; as, an airy situation. 4. Resembling air; thin; unsubstantial; not material; airlike. "An airy spirit." Shak. 5. Relating to the spirit or soul; delicate; graceful; as, airy music. 6. Without reality; having no solid foundation; empty; trifling; visionary. "Airy fame." Shak. Empty sound, and airy notions. 7. Light of heart; vivacious; sprightly; flippant; superficial. "Merry and airy." Jer. Taylor. 8. Having an affected manner; being in the habit of putting on airs; affectedly grand. [Colloq.] 9. (Paint.) Having the light and aërial tints true to nature. Elmes. Aisle (?), n. [OF. ele, F. aile, wing, wing of a building, L. ala, contr. fr. axilla.] (Arch.) (a) A lateral division of a building, separated from the middle part, called the nave, by a row of columns or piers, which support the roof or an upper wall containing windows, called the clearstory wall. (b) Improperly used also for the have; -- as in the phrases, a church with three aisles, the middle aisle. (c) Also (perhaps from confusion with alley), a passage into which the pews of a church open. |