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aegis
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As a noun, aegis means a mythological shield associated with the Greek deities Zeus and Athena (and their Roman counterparts Jupiter and Minerva) shown as a short cloak made of goatskin worn on the shoulders, more as an emblem of power and protection than a military shield. The aegis of Athena or Minerva is usually shown with a border of snakes and with the head of Medusa in the center.
Meanings of aegis
3 meaningsnoun
greek mythologyroman mythologyA mythological shield associated with the Greek deities Zeus and Athena (and their Roman counterparts Jupiter and Minerva) shown as a short cloak made of goatskin worn on the shoulders, more as an emblem of power and protection than a military shield. The aegis of Athena or Minerva is usually shown with a border of snakes and with the head of Medusa in the center.
figurativelyUsually as under the aegis: guidance, protection; endorsement, sponsorship.
Armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a cuirass
Similar: breastplate, egis
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).