air-off-water

[suprunp]

The cool, moist, morning-air-off-water whistled past Saphira’s head as she dove toward the rat-nest-city half lit by the rising sun.
(C. Paolini; Inheritance)

Does the part in bold mean 'the air that ascended from water (maybe from the lake or something similar)'?

Thanks.

[JohnParis]

Yes, I think that is what that means. 'Mist' also comes to mind.

John

[emsr2d2]

The cool, moist, morning-air-off-water whistled past Saphira’s head as she dove toward the rat-nest-city half lit by the rising sun.
(C. Paolini; Inheritance)

Does the part in bold mean 'the air that ascended from water (maybe from the lake or something similar)'?

Thanks.

I think that the word "morning" in that construction is rather important. I think he specifically means the air which comes off the water in the morning. So it's "morning air" coming "off water" which he has chosen to connect to make one four-word phrase.