I. ˈmēd.ēə(r), -ētē-, -ēˌȯ(ə)r, -ȯ(ə) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French meteore, from Medieval Latin meteorum, from Greek meteōron astronomical phenomenon, thing in the heaven above, from neuter of meteōros high in air, raised off the ground, from meta- + -eōros (akin to Greek aeirein to lift, raise, aiora suspension) — more at aorta
1. : a phenomenon or appearance in the atmosphere (as lightning, whirlwind, rainbow, snowfall)
all day the hoary meteor fell — J.G.Whittier
the meteor of the ocean air shall sweep the clouds no more — O.W.Holmes †1894
2.
a. : a streak of light in the night sky produced by the passage through the earth's atmosphere of one of the countless small particles of solid matter in the solar system
b. : the small particle itself or any physical phenomenon associated with it
II. adjective
: meteoric 3
III. abbreviation
meteorological; meteorology