A salutation, importing a wish for the welfare of the person addressed. It is now seldom used among us; but was customary among our Saxon ancestors, and imported "joy to you," or "health to you," including in the term health all kind of prosperity.

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.

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.)

HAIL, n. Masses of ice or frozen vapor, falling from the clouds in showers or storms. These masses consist of little spherules united, but not all of the same consistence; some being as hard and solid as perfect ice; others soft, like frozen snow. Hailstones assume various figures; some are round, others angular, others pyramidical, others flat, and sometimes they are stellated with six radii, like crystals of snow.

HAIL, v.i. To pour down masses of ice or frozen vapors.

HAIL, v.t. To pour.

HAIL, a. Gr. whole. Sound; whole; healthy; not impaired by disease; as a hail body; hail corn. In this sense, it is usually written hale.

HAIL, an exclamation, or rather a verb in the imperative mode, being the adjective hail, used as a verb. Hail, be well; be in health; health to you; a term of salutation, equivalent to L. salve, salvete.

Hail, hail, brave friend.

HAIL, n. A wish of health; a salutation. This word is sometimes used as a noun; as, the angel hail bestowed.

HAIL, v.t. L. calo. See Call and Heal. To call; to call to a person at a distance, to arrest his attention. It is properly used in any case where the person accosted is distant, but is appropriately used by seamen. Hoa or hoi, the ship ahoay, is the usual manner of hailing; to which the answer is holloa, or hollo. Then follow the usual questions, whence came ye? where are you bound? &c.