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aerate (v.)

"cause to mix with carbonic acid or other gas, 1794 (implied in aerated), from aer/aër (used in old science for specific kinds of air, a sense later given to gas (n.1)), from Latin aer (see air (n.1)) + verbal suffix -ate (2). Meaning "expose to air" is from 1799, probably a back-formation from aeration. Related: Aerating.

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Definitions of aerate from WordNet

aerate (v.)
expose to fresh air;
aerate your old sneakers
Synonyms: air out / air
aerate (v.)
aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter;
Synonyms: activate
aerate (v.)
impregnate, combine, or supply with oxygen;
Synonyms: oxygenate / oxygenize / oxygenise
From wordnet.princeton.edu