hail

I. 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 hailing 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 • hailer noun V. noun Date: 1500 1. an exclamation of greeting or acclamation 2. a calling to attract attention 3. hearing distance <

stayed within hail

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