\Me"te*or\, n. [F. m['e]t['e]ore, 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. 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.