[hail] n [ME, fr. OE haegl; akin to OHG hagal hail] (bef. 12c) 1: precipitation in the form of small balls or lumps usu. consisting of concentric layers of clear ice and compact snow
2: something that gives the effect of a shower of hail "a ~ of rifle fire"
[2]hail vi (bef. 12c) 1: to precipitate hail "it was ~ing hard"
2: to pour down or strike like hail [3]hail interj [ME, fr. ON heill, fr. heill healthy--more at whole] (13c) 1 archaic--used as a salutation 2--used to express acclamation "~ to the chief --Sir Walter Scott" [4]hail vt (13c) 1 a: salute, greet b: to greet with enthusiastic approval: acclaim
2: to greet or summon by calling "~ a taxi" ~ vi: to call out; esp: to call a greeting to a passing ship -- hail.er n -- hail from : to be or have been native to or a resident of [5]hail n (1500) 1: an exclamation of greeting or acclamation
2: a calling to attract attention
3: hearing distance "stayed within ~"