[a. Fr. aération, f. aérer; or (in modern use) independent Eng. f. AERATE, after analogy of create, creation, etc.: see -TION.]
† 1. Exposure to the open air; open air life. Obs. rare.
1578. Tymme, Calvin on Genesis, 313. The weariness of a wandering life and irksomeness of continual aeration.
2. Exposure of all the parts of anything to the mechanical influence of the air; supplying with fresh air; airing.
1835. Kirby, Bridgew. Treat. (1852), II. 194. To seek those stations for oviposition that are best suited to the aeration, hatching, and rearing of their spawn.
1858. T. R. Jones, Aquar. Naturalist, 27/2. Artificial aeration of the water contained in an aquarium may sometimes be beneficially adopted.
1881. T. Hughes, Rugby Tennessee, 137. The soil … thoroughly drained and sweetened by aeration.
3. Exposure to the chemical action of air; oxygenation of the blood in respiration.
1836. Todd, Cycl. Anat. & Phys., I. 142/2. That modification of the function of aeration entitled respiration.
1879. Carpenter, Ment. Physiol., I. i. § 15. 17. If we try to ‘hold our breath,’ for such a period that the aëration of the blood is seriously interfered with.
4. The charging with carbonic acid, or oxygen, so as to give briskness.
