Aegis, pronounced “EE-jis,” is a protective shield or armor, often carried by a deity or mythological figure. The word has its origins in Greek mythology, where it was used to describe the shield carried by Zeus, the king of the gods.
In modern usage, the word aegis can be used to describe any form of protection, both physical and metaphorical. For example, a person might refer to the aegis of the law or the aegis of a powerful person. The word can also be used in a more abstract sense, to describe the protection or guidance of a deity or higher power.