Aërial, a.
Etymology: [L. aërius. See Air.]
1. Of or pertaining to the air, or atmosphere; inhabiting or frequenting the air; produced by or found in the air; performed in the air; as, aërial regions or currents. "Aërial spirits." Milton. "Aërial voyages." Darwin.
2. Consisting of air; resembling, or partaking of the nature of air. Hence: Unsubstantial; unreal.
3. Rising aloft in air; high; lofty; as, aërial spires.
4. Growing, forming, or existing in the air, as opposed to growing or existing in earth or water, or underground; as, aërial rootlets, aërial plants. Gray.
1 more senses
5. Light as air; ethereal. Aërial acid, carbonic acid. [Obs.] Ure. -- Aërial perspective. See Perspective.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for aerial; he lists it under airy.
Where he writes about it:
Aerial and airy both signify of or belonging to the air, but airy also describes that which seems as if made of air; we speak of airy shapes, airy nothings, where we could not well say aerial; ethereal describes its object as belonging to the upper air, the pure ether, and so, often, heavenly. — from airy