Hail

Definition

Hail can refer to pellets of frozen rain or the act of saluting or greeting someone.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /heɪl/
• Respelling: HAYL (with "HAY" as in "hay" and "L" as in "feel")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /heɪl/
• Respelling: HAYL (with "HAY" as in "hay" and "L" as in "feel")

In both dialects, "hail" places the primary stress on the entire syllable. The pronunciation is the same across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "HAYL."

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Etymology

Derived from the Old Norse word "hagl" and Old English "hægl", both referring to hail or hailstone. The verb sense, meaning "to call out to", comes from the Old Norse word "heill", meaning health or prosperity.

Derivatives

• Hailstone (noun)
• Hailstorm (noun)
• Hailing (verb, present participle)
• Hailed (verb, past tense)
• Hailer (noun)

Synonyms

• Pellets (of ice)
• Sleet
• Salute (verb)

Antonyms

• Heat (as in hot weather conditions)
• Snub (as in to ignore or disregard)
• Reject

Usage

The term "hail" is used in meteorology to describe ice precipitation. It is also used in social contexts to refer to greeting or praising someone and in communication contexts to call out for attention or a signal.

Related Terms

• Precipitation
• Weather
• Acknowledgment
• Greeting
• Salutation

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Precipitation: Small balls or lumps of ice that fall from the sky during thunderstorms, often causing damage to crops, vehicles, and buildings.
  • Example: The sudden hail damaged the car's windshield.

• A Shout or Call: A loud call or shout used to attract attention.
  • Example: The sailor's hail went unanswered as the ship sailed away.

Verb

• To Precipitate: To fall as small ice particles from the atmosphere.
  • Example: It began to hail just as we arrived home.

• To Greet or Salute: To greet or acclaim enthusiastically.
  • Example: The crowd hailed the victorious team with cheers.

• To Call Out: To call out to someone in order to attract attention.
  • Example: He hailed a taxi to take him to the airport.