air-defence
|air-de-fence|
🇺🇸
/ˈer dɪˌfɛns/
🇬🇧
/ˈeə dɪˌfɛns/
protect from aerial attack
Etymology
'air-defence' is a modern English compound of 'air' and 'defence'. 'air' originates from Old French 'air', ultimately from Latin 'aer' (Greek 'aēr'), and 'defence' originates from Old French 'defens(e)', from Latin 'defendere' where 'de-' meant 'away/off' and 'fendere' (related to 'findere/fendere') meant 'to strike or ward off'.
'air' developed from Latin 'aer' → Old French 'air' → Middle English 'air'; 'defendere' became Old French 'defens'/'defence' and entered Middle English as 'defence'. The compound 'air-defence' arose in modern English (especially in 20th century military usage) to denote protection against aerial attack.
Originally 'air' simply meant the atmosphere and 'defence' meant the act of defending; since the early 20th century the compound came to specifically denote organized military measures and systems protecting against aircraft and missile attack.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
measures, systems, and weapons used to protect an area, country, or facility from attack by aircraft or missiles; the organized capability for protection against aerial attack.
The country's air-defence was upgraded with new radar and interceptor missiles.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to systems or measures intended to protect against aircraft or missile attack (used before a noun).
They installed an air-defence system around the military base.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/14 18:01