anti-air
|an-ti-air|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈɛr/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˈeə/
against aircraft
Etymology
'anti-air' originates from modern English, specifically as a shortened form of 'anti-aircraft', where 'anti-' comes from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against' and 'air' ultimately from Latin/Greek 'aer' meaning 'atmosphere' or 'air'.
'anti-air' developed as an abbreviation of the compound 'anti-aircraft' (coined in early 20th century during the era of military aviation) and was used in military contexts as a concise form of 'anti-aircraft'.
Initially it referred to weapons or defenses 'against aircraft' (as in 'anti-aircraft'); over time the shortened form 'anti-air' preserved that meaning and is used informally for weapons, systems, or fire directed at aircraft.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a weapon or defensive system intended to attack or deter aircraft; informal short form of 'anti-aircraft weapon' or 'anti-aircraft fire'.
The base relied on anti-air to protect against enemy planes.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
designed to attack or protect against aircraft; short for 'anti-aircraft' (e.g., anti-air missiles, anti-air defenses).
The navy installed anti-air systems around the harbor.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/14 17:49