Chapter Agla to Air one's opinions of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Ahriman or Ahrimanes The principle or angel of darkness and evil in the Magian system. (See Ormusd.)

"I recognise the evil spirit, sir, and do honour to Ahrimanes in this young man." - Thackeray.

Aide toi et le Ciel t'aidera (God will help those who help themselves). The party-motto of a political society of France, established in 1824. The object of the society was, by agitation and the press, to induce the middle classes to resist the Government. Guizot was at one time its president, and Le Globe and Le National its organs. This society which doubtless aided in bringing about the Revolution of 1830, was dissolved in 1832.

Aigrette (2 syl.) A lady's headdress, consisting of feathers or flowers. The French call the down of thistles and dandelions, as well as the tuft of birds, aigrette.

Aim To give aim, to stand aloof. A term in archery, meaning to stand within a convenient distance from the butts, to give the archers information how near their arrows fall to the mark aimed at.

"But, gentle people, give me aim a while.
For nature puts me to a heavy task;
Stand all aloof." Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus, v. 3.

To cry aim. To applaud, encourage. In archery it was customary to appoint certain persons to cry aim, for the sake of encouraging those who were about to shoot.

"All my neighbours shall cry aim."
Shakespeare: Merry Wives of Windsor, iii. 2.

Aim-crier An abettor, one who encourages. In archery, the person employed to "cry aim." (See above.)

"Thou smiling aim-crier at princes' fall." English Arcadia.

Air an element. Anaxagoras held air to be the primary form of matter.

Aristotle gives Fire, Air, Earth, and Water as the four elements.

Air a manner, as "the air of the court," the "air of gentility;" "a good air" (manner, deportment) means the pervading habit.

Air in music, is that melody which predominates and gives its character to the piece.

Air one's opinions (To). To state opinions without having firmly based them on proper data. To let them fly loose, like a caged bird.

To ventilate an opinion means to suggest for the purpose of having it duly tested. A conceited man airs his opinions, a discreet one ventilates them, as corn when it is winnowed; and the chaff is blown off.