The atmosphere, as opposed to the higher regions of the sky (1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 9:2; 16:17). This word occurs once as the rendering of the Hebrew ruah (Job 41:16); elsewhere it is the rendering of shamaiyim, usually translated "heavens."

The expression "to speak into the air" (1 Corinthians 14:9) is a proverb denoting to speak in vain, as to "beat the air" (1 Corinthians 9:26) denotes to labour in vain.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) The fluid which we breathe, and which surrounds the earth; the atmosphere. It is invisible, inodorous, insipid, transparent, compressible, elastic, and ponderable.

2. (n.) Symbolically: Something unsubstantial, light, or volatile.

3. (n.) A particular state of the atmosphere, as respects heat, cold, moisture, etc., or as affecting the sensations; as, a smoky air, a damp air, the morning air, etc.

4. (n.) Any aeriform body; a gas; as, oxygen was formerly called vital air.

5. (n.) Air in motion; a light breeze; a gentle wind.

6. (n.) Odoriferous or contaminated air.

7. (n.) That which surrounds and influences.

8. (n.) Utterance abroad; publicity; vent.

9. (n.) Intelligence; information.

10. (n.) A musical idea, or motive, rhythmically developed in consecutive single tones, so as to form a symmetrical and balanced whole, which may be sung by a single voice to the stanzas of a hymn or song, or even to plain prose, or played upon an instrument; a melody; a tune; an aria.

11. (n.) In harmonized chorals, psalmody, part songs, etc., the part which bears the tune or melody -- in modern harmony usually the upper part -- is sometimes called the air.

12. (n.) The peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person; mien; demeanor; as, the air of a youth; a heavy air; a lofty air.

13. (n.) Peculiar appearance; apparent character; semblance; manner; style.

14. (n.) An artificial or affected manner; show of pride or vanity; haughtiness; as, it is said of a person, he puts on airs.

15. (n.) The representation or reproduction of the effect of the atmospheric medium through which every object in nature is viewed.

16. (n.) Carriage; attitude; action; movement; as, the head of that portrait has a good air.

17. (n.) The artificial motion or carriage of a horse.

18. (n.) To expose to the air for the purpose of cooling, refreshing, or purifying; to ventilate; as, to air a room.

19. (n.) To expose for the sake of public notice; to display ostentatiously; as, to air one's opinion.

20. (n.) To expose to heat, for the purpose of expelling dampness, or of warming; as, to air linen; to air liquors.