Egis
/ˈiːdʒɪs/noun
Protection, sponsorship, or support provided by a powerful person or organization.
Did you know?In Greek myth, the aegis was associated with Zeus and Athena; later artistic traditions often depicted Athena’s aegis bearing Medusa’s petrifying head.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂eyǵ-
“A reconstructed root associated with the goat; the connection is probable but not completely certain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
αἰγίς (aigís)
“The goatskin associated with Zeus or Athena, later understood as a divine shield or protective covering.”
Classical Greek
Greek
αἰγίς
“A divine protective object, often imagined as a shield or breastplate and connected with terrifying supernatural power.”
Latin
Latin
aegis
“The aegis or shield of Jupiter, borrowed from Greek mythology.”
16th Century
English
aegis
“A protective shield or patronage; the spelling “egis” also appears as a variant.”
Modern English
English
egis
“Protection, authority, or sponsorship—especially when provided by an institution or powerful figure.”