bolide

[ boh-lahyd, -lid ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. a large, brilliant meteor, especially one that explodes; fireball.

bolide

/ -lɪd; ˈbəʊlaɪd /

noun

1. a large exceptionally bright meteor that often explodes Also calledfireball

Word History and Origins

Origin of bolide¹

First recorded in 1850–55; from French, from Greek bolid- (stem of bolís ) “missile”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bolide¹

C19: from French, from bolis missile; see ballista

Example Sentences

"Our data suggest that volcanic sulfur degassing from such activity could have caused repeated short-lived global drops in temperature, stressing the ecosystems long before the bolide impact delivered its final blow at the end of the Cretaceous," the authors write.

From Salon

It was also a massive learning experience for scientists, the largest atmospheric impact since the Tunguska bolide in 1908.

From Scientific American

The meteor - sometimes called a bolide for its particularly intense brightness - could be seen by much of southern Norway.

From BBC

Bugatti Super Sport/Bolide: The French carmaker Bugatti produces some of the most expensive cars in the world, with its lowest-priced Chiron model starting at $3 million.

From New York Times

But it also revealed plans to produce a limited run of the Bolide, a track car concept with a stripped-down and lightened body, and an up-powered version of its monster 16-cylinder, quad-turbocharged motor, with the power of 1,825 horses.

From New York Times