Aerie

noun

  • a bird of prey's nest made on high ground, typically a cliff
  • a man-made structure mounted on high elevation which offers a vantage point
  • (obsolete) a brood of birds of prey

Usage

Aerie (or Eyrie) is most commonly used to describe a nest, typically of a bird of prey like an eagle or hawk, which is perched on an elevated surface, such as a cliff or mountain. Aerie can also be used to refer to the offspring of such birds of prey. Because of its definition as an elevated nest, the word can also be used interchangeably with a structure or abode which humans occupy. Aerie can therefore be applied metaphorically to refer to a fortification on top of a hill or any kind of location that gives the occupier a vantage point over space beneath them. In arguments and discussions, the word aerie can also describe a position that overlooks and criticizes the ideas of others.

Example: The hawk flew up to its brood in the aerie, high in the cliffs.

Example: : From high up in their aerie, the general and his commander could see the approaching army in the distance.

Origin

The roots of aerie lie in Latin's area, which might have meant "open field," "level ground," or "garden bed." It is also related to Latin's ager meaning field. This was adopted into Old French's aire, which meant "appearance of semblance." From here, it developed into Medieval Latin's aerea. The idea of open space from Latin was used to signify the place upon which a bird of prey could construct its home.

In Literature

From Talbot Mundy's King of the Khyber Rifles:

He was in a very eagle's aerie; the upper rim of Khinian's gorge seemed not more than a quarter of a mile above him.

In this passage, the character of the story finds himself on a rocky ledge at a formidable height.

From Charles Goff Thomson's Terry:

The great panorama of the Gulf lay unfolded beneath their aerie.

Here, the height of the aerie offers the narrator a broad view of the Gulf.

Mnemonic

  • The aerie lies high in the air, the eagle's lonely lair.

Tags

Birds

Bring out the linguist in you! What is your own interpretation of aerie. Did you use aerie in a game? Provide an example sentence or a literary quote.