aeriform

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   having the nature or physical form of air; gaseous

   Aeriform fluids escaped through narrow fissures in the volcanic ground.

2. 2
   adj

   lacking material substance or definite reality; intangible

   The figures in the dream seemed aeriform and vanished at a touch.

Formed from aer-, 'air or gas,' from Greek aer, 'air,' + -iform, 'having the form of,' from Latin forma. The physical sense 'gaseous' appeared first; the figurative sense extended air's lack of solidity to intangible things.

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