Aegis

//ˈiːd͡ʒɪs// name, noun

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    Acronym of Autonomous Exploration for Gathering Increased Science. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
Noun
  1. 1
    A mythological shield associated with the Greek deities Zeus and Athena (and their Roman counterparts Jupiter and Minerva) shown as a short cloak made of goatskin worn on the shoulders, more as an emblem of power and protection than a military shield. The aegis of Athena or Minerva is usually shown with a border of snakes and with the head of Medusa in the center. Greek, Roman

    "The goat Amalthea, which had suckled Jove, being dead, that god is said to have covered his buckler with the skin thereof, whence the appellation Aegis, from αιξ, αιγις, a she-goat. Jupiter afterwards restoring the goat to life, covered it with a new skin, and placed it among the stars. This buckler, which was the work of Vulcan, he gave to Minerva, who having killed the Gorgon Medusa, nailed her head to the middle of the Aegis, which henceforth possessed the faculty of converting to stone all who beheld it, as Medusa herself had while alive."

  2. 2
    kindly endorsement and guidance wordnet
  3. 3
    Guidance, protection; endorsement, sponsorship. figuratively

    "under the aegis"

  4. 4
    armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a cuirass wordnet

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin aegis, from Ancient Greek αἰγίς (aigís, “goatskin; shield of Athena”), probably from αἴξ (aíx, “goat”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eyǵ- (“goat”). The plural form aegides (/ˈiːd͡ʒɪdiːz/) is borrowed from Latin aegides, from Ancient Greek αἰγῐ́δες (aigĭ́des).

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: aegis