a) Any atmospheric phenomenon. (Thus the derivation of meteorology.) These were sometimes classified as aerial or airy meteors (winds), aqueous or watery meteors (hydrometeors: clouds, rain, snow, hail, dew, frost), luminous meteors (rainbows and aurora), and igneous or fiery meteors (lightning and shooting stars [next]).
b) A fast-moving streak of light in the night sky caused by the entry of extraterrestrial matter into the earths atmosphere: A shooting star or falling star.
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