meteor

1. (now meteorology) An atmospheric or meteorological phenomenon. 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).Examples: "Europe, where the Sun dares ſcarce appeare, For freezing Meteors and congealed cold: […]"; "The twilight, the meteors call'd fire-balls, or flying dragons, and the northern lights, inhabit the higher regions of the atmosphere."; "A meteor in the hazy air / Play’d before his path; / Before him now it roll’d / A globe of livid fire […] Anon to Thalaba it mov’d, / And wrapt him in its pale innocuous fire."

2. (juggling) A prop similar to poi balls, in that it is twirled at the end of a cord or cable.

3. (martial arts) A striking weapon resembling a track and field hammer consisting of a weight swung at the end of a cable or chain.

4. (figurative) Any short-lived source of wonderment.figuratively