(by the Greeks called μετεώρος, q. d. sublima or "high raised;" by the Latins imprefiones as making signs or impressions in the air), commonly denotes any bodies in the air that are of a transitory nature. Hence it is extended to the phenomena of hail, rain, snow, thunder, &c.; but is most commonly confined to those unusual and fiery appearances named falling stars, ignes fatui, aurorae boreales, &c. See METEOROLOGY.