Frozen rain-drops; one of the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 9:23). It is mentioned by Haggai as a divine judgment (Haggai 2:17). A hail-storm destroyed the army of the Amorites when they fought against Joshua (Joshua 10:11). Ezekiel represents the wall daubed with untempered mortar as destroyed by great hail-stones (Ezek. 13:11). (See also 38:22; Revelation 8:7; 11:19; 16:21.)

A salutation expressive of a wish for the welfare of the person addressed; the translation of the Greek Chaire, "Rejoice" (Luke 1:8). Used in mockery in Matthew 27:29.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) Small roundish masses of ice precipitated from the clouds, where they are formed by the condensation of vapor. The separate masses or grains are called hailstones.

2. (v. i.) To pour down particles of ice, or frozen vapors.

3. (v. t.) To pour forcibly down, as hail.

4. (a.) Healthy. See Hale (the preferable spelling).

5. (v. t.) To call loudly to, or after; to accost; to salute; to address.

6. (v. t.) To name; to designate; to call.

7. (v. i.) To declare, by hailing, the port from which a vessel sails or where she is registered; hence, to sail; to come; -- used with from; as, the steamer hails from New York.

8. (v. i.) To report as one's home or the place from whence one comes; to come; -- with from.

9. (n.) An exclamation of respectful or reverent salutation, or, occasionally, of familiar greeting.

10. (n.) A wish of health; a salutation; a loud call.