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