Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Meteor
Me′te-or
,Noun.
[F.
météore
, Gr. [GREEK], pl. [GREEK] things in the air, fr. [GREEK] high in air, raised off the ground; [GREEK] beyond + [GREEK], [GREEK], a suspension or hovering in the air, fr. [GREEK] to lift, raise up.] 1.
Any phenomenon or appearance in the atmosphere, as clouds, rain, hail, snow, etc.
Hail, an ordinary
meteor
. Bp. Hall.
2.
Specif.: A transient luminous body or appearance seen in the atmosphere, or in a more elevated region.
The vaulty top of heaven
Figured quite o’er with burning
Figured quite o’er with burning
meteors
. Shakespeare
☞ The term is especially applied to fireballs, and the masses of stone or other substances which sometimes fall to the earth; also to shooting stars and to ignes fatui. Meteors are often classed as: aerial meteors, winds, tornadoes, etc.; aqueous meteors, rain, hail, snow, dew, etc.; luminous meteors, rainbows, halos, etc.; and igneous meteors, lightning, shooting stars, and the like.
Webster 1828 Edition
Meteor
ME'TEOR
,Noun.
1.
In a general sense, a body that flies or floats in the air, and in this sense it includes rain,hail, snow, &c. But in a restricted sense, in which it is commonly understood.2.
A fiery or luminous body or appearance flying or floating in the atmosphere, or in a more elevated region. We give this name to the brilliant globes or masses of matter which are occasionally seen moving rapidly through our atmosphere, and which throw off, with loud explosions, fragments that reach the earth, and are called falling stones. We call by the same name those fire balls which are usually denominated falling stars, supposed to be owning to gelatinous matter inflated by phosphureted hydrogen gas; also,the lights which appear over moist grounds and grave yards, called ignes fatui, which are ascribed to the same cause. And meteor-like flame lawless through the sky.