aegis

noun

ae·​gis ˈē-jəs How to pronounce aegis (audio)
also
ˈā- How to pronounce aegis (audio)
variants or less commonly egis
1
: a shield or breastplate emblematic of majesty that was associated with Zeus and Athena
2
a
: protection
under the aegis of the Constitution
b
: controlling or conditioning (see condition entry 2 sense 5a) influence
passed new laws under the aegis of national security
3
a
: auspices, sponsorship
under the aegis of the museum
b
: control or guidance especially by an individual, group, or system
under the aegis of the government

Did you know?

Aegis Has Greek and Latin Roots

We borrowed aegis from Latin, but the word ultimately derives from the Greek noun aigis, which means "goatskin." In ancient Greek mythology, an aegis was something that offered physical protection, and it has been depicted in various ways, including as a magical protective cloak made from the skin of the goat that suckled Zeus as an infant and as a shield fashioned by Hephaestus that bore the severed head of the Gorgon Medusa. The word first entered English in the 15th century as a noun referring to the shield or protective garment associated with Zeus or Athena. It later took on a more general sense of "protection" and, by the late-19th century, it had acquired the extended senses of "auspices" and "sponsorship."

Examples of aegis in a Sentence

having no claim to the land under the aegis of the law, the cattle baron decided to claim it by force a medical study that was questioned by many because it was done under the aegis of a major pharmaceutical company
Recent Examples on the Web The camp, which is in a region of Syria still protected by several hundred U.S. troops, is under the aegis of a beleaguered force of mostly Kurdish fighters—soldiers who had previously aligned with the Americans to defeat isis. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Under the aegis of the U.S. Information Agency, founded in 1953, Washington sent American jazz legends on tour around the world and mounted exhibitions in Europe featuring abstract expressionist and surrealist art. Suzanne Nossel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024 Of Europeans in the mid-19th century spreading through the arteries of the region, new technology in hand, documenting people and places under the aegis of empire. Thomas Page, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Under the aegis of a program called Vision 2030, the regime has emphasized the country’s pre-Islamic cultural heritage, its natural beauty, and contemporary Saudi arts and culture. Bernard Haykel, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2024 Under the aegis of Jimmy Pitaro, Disney’s current sports chief, ESPN has tried to tamp down employee commentary about politics and cultural issues. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 11 Jan. 2024 Its lawyers threatened to sue Fontes, to keep Grayson and other down-ballot hopefuls from running under its aegis. Sue Halpern, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2023 Under the aegis of Wade Davis, the former chief financial officer of Viacom, Univision has expanded its portfolio. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Nov. 2023 Roku’s ad-sales comes under the aegis of executive Charlie Collier, who joined the company approximately a year earlier. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aegis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, borrowed from Greek aigís "goatskin, mantle of Zeus," derivative of aig-, aíx "goat"; akin to Armenian aic "goat" (perhaps going back to Indo-European *h2eiǵ-ih2-), and perhaps to Avestan izaēna "of leather"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aegis was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near aegis

Cite this Entry

“Aegis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aegis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aegis

noun
ae·​gis ˈē-jəs How to pronounce aegis (audio)
1
: protection sense 1a, defense
under the aegis of the law
2
: patronage sense 1, sponsorship
under the aegis of the museum

More from Merriam-Webster on aegis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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