Friday word: Aegis

[med_cat]

Ae·gis noun \ˈē-jəs also ˈā-\ : the power to protect, control, or support something or someone


1: a shield or breastplate emblematic of majesty that was associated with Zeus and Athena

2a : protection
b : controlling or conditioning influence

3a : auspices, sponsorship
b : control or guidance especially by an individual, group, or system

Examples

• 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

Etymology: Latin, from Greek aigis, literally, goatskin, from aig-, aix goat; akin to Armenian ayc goat

First Known Use: 1581

Pics and more info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegis

Comments

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

To elaborate slightly on that etymology, the original aegis was a shield covered with a goatskin, technically supposedly belonging to Zeus (exactly how or why is obscure in our sources) that he gave to Athena to bear for him when not in battle. She carried everywhere, however, and went even so far as to trick out with Medusa's head, thus making it for all practical purposes her own. Speculations that the Zeus connection was a later invention make her more subordinate would not be out of line.

---L.

[med_cat]

Thank you for providing further details re: etymology :)