aero-, aer-, aeri-

A reference to atmospheric (air) pressure and the middle ear: When Wilber had an earache, he went to see his otorhinolarynologist who diagnosed him as having an aerotympanal ailment involving his eardrum.

An apparatus for visual examination of the urethra after dilatation by air: An aerourethroscope distends theurethra, the tube through which urine passes through to the outside of the body, with air and is performed for medical inspection.

Visual examination of the urethra when distended with air: After Dr. Thompson used his aerourethroscope, he studied optically the aerourethroscopy to determine Tom's disorder.

A woody plant with a single trunk rising from the ground: An aerosol can be a tree with an obvious bole or trunk with boughs or branches above the ground..

The rust of the mind is the destruction of genius.

Alfred Henderson, Latin Proverbs, page 10 (1869), quoting Seneca. An equivalent English proverb: "I had rather wear out than rust out." Written by George Whitfield in his Remark (c. 1770).

A microorganism that lives and grows in the complete, or almost complete, absence of molecular oxygen: An anaerobe is a life form that can exist without oxygen and is nevertheless able to maintain its metabolic processes.

1. Relating to the absence of atmospheric oxygen or air: Anaerobic digestion occurs when natural food stuffs decompose in the absence of oxygen and the result of this process is methane.
2. Referring to life or growth where there is no atmospheric oxygen: There are many investigative projects undertaken to study the possibilities of anaerobic farming in space.

Anaerobic bacteria get their oxygen by decomposing compounds containing oxygen.

An organism that is capable of existing in the absence of oxygen: Anaerobionts can be bacteria in the intestines that break down waste with biogas as a byproduct.

Life that is continued by an organism in the deprivation of oxygen, or existing in an oxygen-free atmosphere: Anaerobiosis can be exemplified by life forms that are unicellular, like protozoans and some bacteria, or they can be multicellular.

Relating to life in an environment devoid or empty of free oxygen; anaerobic: Anaerobiotic habitats are those that are devoid of, or significantly depleted in, molecular oxygen or the Earth's air.

Concerning a living thing that does not produce gas: Anaerogenic microorganisms do not create visible gas during the breakdown of carbohydrates.

A plant that grows without air: The scientists were enthusiastic about the discovery of an anaerophyte because of the possibilities of farming in outer space.

Treatment of wounds with the exclusion of air: The doctor decided to treat Saul's wound using the anaeroplasty method to seal the wound from any air so that it would heal faster and better.

1. An invisible breath, emanation, or radiation: There seemed to be an aura in the flower garden, or an indiscernible emanation or vapor surrounding the couple while they were walking slowly through the pergola.
2. A distinctitve but intangible quality that seems to surround a person or thing; atmosphere: The old villa had an aura or feeling of times long past.

Kitty's elderly mom still had that special aura that attracted Kitty each time they got together, even after so many years.
3. In medicine, a sensation, as of a cold breeze or a bright light, that precedes the onset of certain disorders, as an epileptic seizure: Gary felt the aura of an oncoming attack of migraine.
4. Etymology: from Latin aura "breeze, a breath of air, wind, air" and from Greek aura "breeze, breath".

1. Characterized by, or pertaining, to the ear or hearing: Nigel's mother had excellent aural abilities and could even hear every word that was whispered in the room next door!
2. Regarding an aura: Jenny noticed aural symptoms that always preceded her migraine headaches.