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 meteors. --Shak.
Note: 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.