meteor

English

/ˈmiːtɪə/, /ˈmitiɚ/

noun
Definitions
  • 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 hammer consisting of a weight swung at the end of a cable or chain.
  • (figurative) Any short-lived source of wonderment.

Etymology

Derived from Middle French météore derived from Latin meteorum derived from Ancient Greek μετέωρον.

Origin

Ancient Greek

μετέωρον

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms