I. ˈhāl noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hægl; akin to Old High German hagal hail
Date: before 12th century
1. : precipitation in the form of small balls or lumps usually consisting of concentric layers of clear ice and compact snow
2. : something that gives the effect of a shower of hail
a hail of rifle fire
II. intransitive verb
Date: before 12th century
1. : to precipitate hail
it was hail ing hard
2. : to pour down or strike like hail
III. interjection
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse heill, from heill healthy — more at whole
Date: 13th century
1. archaic — used as a salutation
2. — used to express acclamation
hail to the chief — Sir Walter Scott
IV. verb
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : salute , greet
b. : to greet with enthusiastic approval : acclaim
2. : to greet or summon by calling
hail a taxi
intransitive verb
: to call out ; especially : to call a greeting to a passing ship
• hail·er hā-lər noun
•
- hail from
V. noun
Date: 1500
1. : an exclamation of greeting or acclamation
2. : a calling to attract attention
3. : hearing distance
stayed within hail