Proto-Indo-European:
* *h₂éw-s: meaning "to blow" or "breathe". This is the core ancestor of the word.
Old English:
* ǣr: meaning "air", "atmosphere", or "breath".
Middle English:
* air: evolved from the Old English "ǣr", retaining the meaning of air and atmosphere.
Modern English:
* air: continues its meaning as the invisible, gaseous substance that surrounds the Earth.
Interesting Facts:
* The word "air" is related to other words in the English language like "breath", "aerate", "aerodynamic", and "aerial".
* The concept of "air" as a distinct element was a long-held belief before the scientific understanding of its composition and properties.
So, the word "air" has a rich history, stemming from the ancient concept of "blowing" or "breathing" and evolving through various linguistic stages to its modern meaning.