# aegis

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈiːd͡ʒɪs/ · frequency rank #26,668

## Definitions
1. 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.
2. Guidance, protection; endorsement, sponsorship.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin aegis, from Ancient Greek αἰγίς (aigís, “goatskin; shield of Athena”), probably from αἴξ (aíx, “goat”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eyǵ- (“goat”).
The plural form aegides (/ˈiːd͡ʒɪdiːz/) is borrowed from Latin aegides, from Ancient Greek αἰγῐ́δες (aigĭ́des).

## Easily confused with
- **AIS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-ais)
- **aes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-aes)
- **AGI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-agi)
- **AGS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-ags)
- **ages** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-ages)
- **axis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-axis)
- **avis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-avis)
- **Amis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-amis)
- **aris** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-aris)
- **Angus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-angus)
- **Angie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-angie)
- **Argus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-argus)
- **Argos** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-argos)
- **aggie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-aggie)
- **Alexis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aegis-vs-alexis)
- **Addis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/addis-vs-aegis)

## Common misspellings (6)
`aeggis`, `aegiss`, `aegsi`, `aeigs`, `ageis`, `eagis`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/aegis