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Meteorite: meaning, definitions and examples

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meteorite

 

[ ˈmiː.ti.ə.raɪt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

space object

A meteorite is a solid fragment of a meteoroid that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the surface. These objects come from a variety of sources, including asteroids, comets, and the Moon or Mars. They vary widely in size, composition, and age. Meteorites can provide valuable information about the early solar system and planetary formation. They are often classified into different types based on their mineral content and origin.

Synonyms

cosmic fragment, extraterrestrial material, space rock

Examples of usage

  • Scientists study meteorites to learn about space.
  • The meteorite fell in the desert, creating a small crater.
  • Collectors often seek rare meteorite specimens.
  • This meteorite originated from the asteroid belt.

Translations

Translations of the word "meteorite" in other languages:

🇵🇹 meteorito

🇮🇳 उपग्रह

🇩🇪 Meteorit

🇮🇩 meteorit

🇺🇦 метеорит

🇵🇱 meteoryt

🇯🇵 隕石

🇫🇷 météorite

🇪🇸 meteoroide

🇹🇷 meteorit

🇰🇷 유성

🇸🇦 نيزك

🇨🇿 meteorit

🇸🇰 meteorit

🇨🇳 陨石

🇸🇮 meteorit

🇮🇸 fell

🇰🇿 метеорит

🇬🇪 მეტეორიტი

🇦🇿 meteorit

🇲🇽 meteorito

Etymology

The word 'meteorite' has its origins in the late 19th century, derived from the Greek word 'meteōritēs', meaning 'high in the air'. The prefix 'meteor' itself comes from the Greek 'meteōron', which refers to anything that occurs in the sky or atmosphere. Prior to the adoption of the term 'meteorite', objects that fell from the sky were often associated with omens or divine messages. With the growth of modern science and a better understanding of atmospheric phenomena, the term 'meteorite' began to be standardized in the scientific community to refer specifically to those meteoroids that reached the Earth’s surface. As space exploration progressed, meteorites have been categorized and studied in detail, giving insights into the early solar system and the materials that formed the planets.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,335, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.