METEORITE Meaning and
Definition
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A meteorite is a solid object that originates from outer space and survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere to land on the Earth's surface. It is commonly composed of rocky or metallic material, often referred to as an extraterrestrial object. Meteorites can vary in size, shape, and composition, typically ranging from tiny fragments to much larger rocks weighing several tons.
When a meteoroid, which is a small celestial body orbiting the sun, enters the Earth's atmosphere, it undergoes intense heat and pressure due to the friction created by the air molecules. This causes the outer layer of the meteoroid to vapourize, resulting in a glowing streak of light known as a meteor or shooting star. If the remaining core of the meteoroid successfully reaches the Earth's surface, it is then classified as a meteorite.
Meteorites can be classified into three main types: stony (including chondrites and achondrites), iron (principally composed of iron and nickel), and stony-iron (consisting of a mix of rocky and metallic elements). They serve as valuable scientific specimens that provide insight into the origin and evolution of our solar system, as they contain valuable information about the elemental composition, minerals, and isotopic ratios that are not commonly found on Earth.
Many meteorite fragments have been discovered around the world, with some elemental similarities suggesting that they originate from the same parent body. Scientists extensively study meteorites to gain knowledge about the formation of planets, stars, and the early history of the universe.
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A stone or body falling from the higher regions of the atmosphere.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for METEORITE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for METEORITE
Etymology of METEORITE
The word "meteorite" is derived from the Greek words "meteōros" (μετέωρος) meaning "raised from the ground, lofty, high" and "lithos" (λίθος) meaning "stone". "Meteōros" itself comes from the combination of the prefix "meta-" (μετά) indicating "beyond" or "above", and "aēr" (ἀήρ) meaning "air". Thus, meteorite essentially means "a stone from above" or "a stone fallen from the sky".
Similar spelling words for METEORITE
- Mudwort,
- un-matured,
- moudiwort,
- metrowide,
- moudiewort,
- MAT/MDRT,
- mitridae,
- matured,
- MEDART,
- moderate-sized,
- maturity,
- meteoroid,
- MATRADE,
- Materiate,
- modderite,
- moderate-size,
- MDIRD,
- maturate,
- meteoritic,
- Matred,
- moderato,
- motored,
- metered-dose,
- ready-madeready-made,
- mowdiewart,
- low-to-moderate,
- medrad,
- Moderatto,
- mTERT,
- matroid,
- moderat,
- MDURD,
- Thesaurus:meteorite,
- metered,
- moderate-fat,
- midrate,
- Muttered,
- Meteyard,
- moudiwart,
- Meadowwort,
- moidered,
- post-maturity,
- metroid,
- mowdiewort,
- motorhead,
- moderate,
- meteoritical,
- metred,
- madrid-based,
- modiwort,
- MEDRED-C,
- moutered,
- yield-to-maturity,
- moderate-intensity,
- mild-to-moderate,
- Modred,
- Medardo,
- moutardier,
- maturidi,
- MDART,
- motard,
- metritis,
- moderate-income,
- Medarda,
- Moutarde,
- MOUTRT,
- well-matured,
- Mitred,
- madrid,
- madwort,
- Mattered,
- moderate-to-severe,
- mitrate,
- moderate/severe,
- mudirate,
- motorrad,
- Medard,
- MEDRED,
- moidart,
- moudiewart,
- Midward,
- meteroid,
- Mitered,
- maitre'd.
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