In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed coffee stimulated radical thinking and outlawed the drink. In 1524, the leaders overturned that order, and people could drink coffee again.
METEOR
meteoroid, meteor
(noun) (astronomy) any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth’s atmosphere
meteor, shooting star
(noun) a streak of light in the sky at night that results when a meteoroid hits the earth’s atmosphere and air friction causes the meteoroid to melt or vaporize or explode
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
meteor (plural meteors)
A fast-moving streak of light in the night sky caused by the entry of extraterrestrial matter into the earth's atmosphere: A shooting star or falling star.
(archaic) Any atmospheric phenomenon. (Thus the derivation of meteorology.) These were sometimes classified as aerial or airy meteors (winds), aqueous or watery meteors (hydrometeors: clouds, rain, snow, hail, dew, frost), luminous meteors (rainbows and aurora), and igneous or fiery meteors (lightning and shooting stars).
(juggling) A prop similar to poi balls, in that it is twirled at the end of a cord or cable.
(martial arts) A striking weapon resembling a track and field hammer consisting of a weight swung at the end of a cable or chain.
(figurative) Any short-lived source of wonderment.
Usage notes
• (streak of light in night sky): Not to be confused with meteoroid and meteorite (cause and remains of a meteor), or asteroid and comet (celestial bodies).
Synonyms
• (streak of light in night sky): falling star, shooting star, faxed star
Coordinate terms
• (astronomical phenomenon): asteroid, comet
Verb
meteor (third-person singular simple present meteors, present participle meteoring, simple past and past participle meteored)
(intransitive) To move at great speed.
Anagrams
• -ometer, emoter, ometer, remote
Source: Wiktionary
Me"te*or, n. Etym: [F. météore, Gr.
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 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
23 January 2025
LEFT
(adjective) being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the west when facing north; “my left hand”; “left center field”; “the left bank of a river is bank on your left side when you are facing downstream”
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