Толковый словарь английского языка - hail

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hægl; akin to Old High German hagal ~ Date: before 12th century precipitation in the form of small balls or lumps usually consisting of concentric layers of clear ice and compact snow, something that gives the effect of a shower of ~ , II. intransitive verb Date: before 12th century to precipitate ~ , to pour down or strike like ~, III. interjection see: whole Date: 13th century 1. archaic — used as a salutation 2. — used to express acclamation <~ to the chief — Sir Walter Scott> IV. verb Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. salute, greet, to greet with enthusiastic approval ; acclaim, to greet or summon by calling , intransitive verb to call out, ~er noun V. noun Date: 1500 an exclamation of greeting or acclamation, a calling to attract attention, hearing distance