in phytology, an aqueous concretion, in form of white or pellucid spherules, descending out of the atmosphere.

Hail is evidently no other than drops of rain congealed into ice. This happens when in their passage through the inferior air, they meet with nitrous particles, which are known to contribute greatly to freezing. Their magnitude is owing to a fresh accession of matter as they pass along. Hence we see the reason why hail is so frequent in summer, because at that time greater quantities of nitre are exhaled from the earth, and float up and down the air. See RAIN and FROST.