aegis

[ ee-jis ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its center the head of the Gorgon.
2. protection; support:

   under the imperial aegis.

3. sponsorship; auspices:

   a debate under the aegis of the League of Women Voters.

   Synonyms: patronage

aegis

/ ˈiːdʒɪs /

noun

1. sponsorship or protection; auspices (esp in the phrase under the aegis of )
2. Greek myth the shield of Zeus, often represented in art as a goatskin

Word History and Origins

Origin of aegis¹

First recorded in 1425–1475; late Middle English, from Latin, from Greek aigís “shield of Zeus or Athena,” probably from aig- (stem of aíx “goat”) + -is noun suffix, from a type of cloak or shield made of goatskin

Word History and Origins

Origin of aegis¹

C18: from Latin, from Greek aigis shield of Zeus, perhaps related to aig-, stem of aix goat

Example Sentences

A 2022 deal announced by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield would preserve one-third of the Bothwell property under the aegis of the Mountains Preservation and Conservation Authority.

From Los Angeles Times

A century-old clock that stood outside Benton’s Jewelers on University Way Northeast before moving to a site near University Village was recently refurbished and reinstalled by Aegis Living, which spent tens of thousands of dollars on the work, according to a representative.

From Seattle Times

Aegis bought the clock while redeveloping the U Village site and had a digital mechanism added.

From Seattle Times

This took an early form in the 1960s and 1970s with the development of the Navy’s Aegis missile defense system.

From Seattle Times

Aegis was trained through a series of human-programmed if/then rule sets to be able to detect and intercept incoming missiles autonomously, and more rapidly than a human could.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• auspices
• patronage
• sponsorship