aegis

The story

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromαἰγῐ́δες
2. Latin · borrowed fromaegides
3. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*h₂eyǵ-“goat”
4. Ancient Greek · derived fromαἰγίς“goatskin; shield of Athena”
5. Latin · borrowed fromaegis
6. English todayaegis

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).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from early 17th c. 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.