Meteor

Origin

Middle English, from Latin meteorum, from Ancient Greek μετέωρον, from μετέωρος (meteōros, "raised from the ground, hanging, lofty"), from μετά (meta, "in the midst of, among, between") (English meta) + ἀείρω (aeiro, "to lift, to heave, to raise up").

Original sense of “atmospheric phenomenon” gave rise to meteorology, now restricted to extraterrestrial objects burning up as they enter the atmosphere.

Full definition of meteor

Noun

1. (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 next).
2. 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.
3. (juggling) A prop similar to poi balls, in that it is twirled at the end of a cord or cable.
4. (martial arts) A striking weapon resembling a track and field hammer consisting of a weight swung at the end of a cable or chain.

Synonyms

• (streak of light in night sky) falling star, shooting star

Coordinate terms

• (astronomical phenomenon) asteroid, comet

Derived terms

Anagrams

• remote