METEOR (by the Greeks called ματῦρα, sublime or high raised; by the Latins, impressiones, as making signs or impressions in the air) commonly denotes any bodies in the air which are of a transitory nature. Hence it is extended to the phenomena of hail, rain, snow, and thunder; but is most commonly confined to those unusual and fiery appearances named falling stars, ignes fatui, auroræ boreales, and the like.