hail1
- 1) noun, small pellets of ice falling from cumulonimbus clouds when there are very strong rising air currents
- 2) noun, a shower or storm of such pellets
- 3) noun, words, ideas, etc, directed with force and in great quantity
- 4) noun, a collection of objects, esp bullets, spears, etc, directed at someone with violent force
- 5) verb, to be the case that hail is falling
- 6) verb, to fall or cause to fall as or like hail
Etymology
Old English hægl; related to Old Frisian heil, Old High German hagal hail, Greek kakhlēx pebble
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
hail2
- 1) verb, to greet, esp enthusiastically
- 2) verb, to acclaim or acknowledge
- 3) verb, to attract the attention of by shouting or gesturing
- 4) verb, to be a native (of); originate (in)
- 5) noun, the act or an instance of hailing
- 6) noun, a shout or greeting
- 7) noun, distance across which one can attract attention (esp in the phrase within hail)
- 8) sentence substitute, an exclamation of greeting
Etymology
C12: from Old Norse heill whole; see hale1, wassail
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
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Synonyms
honour, hailstone, sleet, hailstorm, shower, rain, storm, battery, volley, barrage, bombard, pelt, downpour, salvo, broadside, rain, shower, pelt, batter, rain, barrage, bombard, pelt, acclaim, acknowledge, cheer, applaud, glorify, exalt, salute, call, greet, address, welcome, speak to, accost, sing out, halloo, summon, wave down