Definition of hail

• n. - Small roundish masses of ice precipitated from the clouds, where they are formed by the congelation of vapor. The separate masses or grains are called hailstones.
• v. i. - To pour down particles of ice, or frozen vapors.
• v. t. - To pour forcibly down, as hail.
• a. - Healthy. See Hale (the preferable spelling).
• v. t. - To call loudly to, or after; to accost; to salute; to address.
• v. t. - To name; to designate; to call.
• 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.
• v. i. - To report as one's home or the place from whence one comes; to come; -- with from.
• v. t. - An exclamation of respectful or reverent salutation, or, occasionally, of familiar greeting.
• n. - A wish of health; a salutation; a loud call.