[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/hailstone/)

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# hailstone

noun (a hailstone, hailstones)

«hailstone» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

A small ball of ice that falls from storm clouds, like frozen rain; many hailstones together are called hail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hailstone/#m1)

### In the lessons

In science and weather lessons: hail forms in tall thunderclouds when raindrops are carried up high, freeze, and grow in layers of ice until they are heavy enough to fall. Hailstones are usually pea-sized but can be as big as a golf ball. Safety: big hail can hurt people and dent cars, so go indoors.

### Examples

- A hailstone bounced off the car roof. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hailstone/#x1)
- Some hailstones were as big as marbles. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hailstone/#x2)
- We cut a hailstone in half and saw rings of ice inside. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hailstone/#x3)
- The hailstones made a loud noise on the tin roof. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hailstone/#x4)
- Hailstones melted quickly on the warm path. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hailstone/#x5)
- Go inside when the hailstones start to fall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hailstone/#x6)
- Mongan’s men made a roof of their shields, and the hailstones battered on the shields so terribly that even under them they were afraid. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hailstone/#x7)

### Note

Countable: a hailstone, hailstones; «hail» is uncountable: «There was hail» (not «a hail»). Hail is not snow: hailstones are hard lumps of ice, snowflakes are soft crystals. Hail often falls in summer storms, not only in winter.

## In Jewish tradition

Hail is often a sign of God's power and judgment, as in the plague of hail in Egypt. Here it comes with thunder and coals of fire.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads these storms as signs of God's voice and justice, and Ezekiel uses hail against false prophets whose whitewash covers a weak wall.

### Examples

- At the brightness before Him, there passed through His thick clouds hailstones and coals of fire. (Writings PSA.18.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hailstone/#x1)
- The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High gave forth His voice; hailstones and coals of fire. (Writings PSA.18.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hailstone/#x2)
- say unto them that daub it with whited plaster, that it shall fall; there shall be an overflowing shower, and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall, and a stormy wind shall break forth, (Prophets EZK.13.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hailstone/#x3)

### Note

Countable: a hailstone, hailstones; «hail» is uncountable: «There was hail» (not «a hail»). Hail is not snow: hailstones are hard lumps of ice, snowflakes are soft crystals. Hail often falls in summer storms, not only in winter.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «hailstone» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hailstone/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«hailstone» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/hailstone.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «hailstone» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hailstone/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«hailstone» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/hailstone.html) on Mova free.