Aery: meaning, definitions and examples
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aery
[ ˈɛəri ]
related to air
The term 'aery' describes something that is light and insubstantial, often associated with the quality of being airy or ethereal. It can refer to a delicate or fragile nature, typically lacking in density or weight. In literature, it may evoke a sense of the sublime or the spiritual, as if the subject is floating or existing in a realm above the mundane. This word is less commonly used in contemporary language but retains a poetic or archaic charm.
Synonyms
delicate, ethereal, fine, insubstantial, light
Examples of usage
- The aery whispers of the wind caressed her face.
- He looked up at the aery clouds drifting across the sky.
- The ballet dancers moved with an aery grace.
Etymology
The word 'aery' originates from Middle English 'airie', which is derived from the Old English 'ær', meaning 'air'. The transition from 'ær' to 'aery' illustrates the phonetic evolution of the term as it was influenced by the Norman conquest and the adoption of Old French elements into the English language. Over time, 'aery' became associated with descriptions of lightness and ethereal quality, particularly in literary contexts. The usage of the term manifests particularly in poetry and artistic expressions, where it conveys a sense of dreams and the ephemeral nature of existence. The idea of being connected to the atmosphere or the heavens adds to the whimsical nature of the word. Today, while it may not be commonly used in everyday language, 'aery' retains its significance in descriptive and figurative language, often employed to evoke imagery in literature.