The term “airtight” is commonly used in our daily lives, but what does it exactly mean? In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, and associations of the word “airtight”. We will also discuss its synonyms and antonyms, as well as provide some example sentences to help us understand its usage better.
Definitions
The word “airtight” is an adjective that describes something that is completely sealed and does not allow air or gas to pass through. It can also refer to something that is completely secure and cannot be penetrated or breached.
Origin
The term “airtight” originated from the combination of two words, “air” and “tight”. The word “air” comes from the Old English word “ær”, which means “atmosphere, breeze, or gas”. The word “tight” comes from the Old Norse word “téttr”, which means “close, compact, or dense”. The word “airtight” was first recorded in the English language in the 1700s.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “airtight” means “having no noticeable weakness, flaw, or loophole”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “preventing the passage of air or gas in or out”. The Cambridge Dictionary describes it as “completely closed so that air cannot get in or out”.
Associations
The word “airtight” is commonly associated with containers, such as food storage containers or vacuum-sealed bags. It is also associated with buildings, such as airtight homes that are designed to be energy-efficient. In addition, the word “airtight” is often used in the context of security, such as an airtight alibi or an airtight case against a criminal.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of “airtight” include: sealed, watertight, hermetic, impervious, impermeable, secure, and impenetrable.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of “airtight” include: open, permeable, leaky, porous, insecure, and penetrable.
The same root words
The word “airtight” shares the same root words with other words such as “aircraft”, “airline”, “airborne”, and “airway”.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the word “airtight”:
- The food storage container is airtight, which keeps the food fresh for a longer period of time.
- The building was designed to be airtight, which makes it energy-efficient and reduces heating and cooling costs.
- The detective had an airtight case against the suspect, which led to a conviction.
- The alibi provided by the suspect was not airtight, which raised suspicions about their involvement in the crime.
- The vacuum-sealed bag is airtight, which prevents any air or moisture from getting in and damaging the contents.