METEOR

meteor. Meteor, n. a transient luminous appearance or fire ball, any phenomenon in the air

---

Me″te‐or (?), n. [[F. météore, Gr. �, pl. � things in the air, fr. � high in air, raised off the ground; � beyond + �, �, a suspension or hovering in the air, fr. � to lift, raise up.]] 1. 1. Any phenomenon or appearance in the atmosphere, as clouds, rain, hail, snow, etc.
Hail, an ordinary meteor. Bp. Hall. 2. 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. ☞ 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.