Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to meteorites: Pertaining to or characteristic of meteorites, which are solid pieces of debris from objects like asteroids or comets that survive their passage through the atmosphere and land on a planet's surface.
   • Caused by or originating from meteorites: Describing phenomena, effects, or materials that result from the impact or presence of a meteorite.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The museum has a new exhibit on meteoritical composition. (The museum has a new exhibit about the composition related to meteorites.)
  • Scientists studied the meteoritical crater to understand the impact's force. (Scientists studied the crater caused by a meteorite to understand the force of the impact.)
  • This meteoritical dust contains minerals not commonly found on Earth. (This dust originating from meteorites contains minerals not commonly found on Earth.)

Advanced Usage

• In scientific discourse: The term is often used in geology, astronomy, and planetary science to specify the origin or nature of samples, craters, or phenomena.
  • The meteoritical evidence strongly supports the theory of extraterrestrial water delivery. (The evidence from meteorites strongly supports the theory.)
• "Meteoritical Society": A proper noun referring to an international scholarly organization promoting the study of extraterrestrial materials.
  • She presented her findings at the Meteoritical Society's annual meeting. (She presented her findings at the annual meeting of the society dedicated to meteorite studies.)

Variants and Related Words

• Meteoritic (adjective): This is a more common variant with identical meaning and usage.
  • Meteoritic iron is a key component of some ancient tools.
• Meteorite (noun): The solid object itself.
  • A large meteorite was discovered in the desert.
• Meteoritics (noun): The scientific study of meteorites.
  • He specializes in the field of meteoritics.

Synonyms

• Extraterrestrial: Originating from outside Earth (broader term, not specific to solid debris that has landed).
• Impact-related: Concerning effects of a collision (can be broader than just meteorites).

Related Phrases

• Meteoritical analysis: The examination and study of meteorite samples.
  • The meteoritical analysis revealed a high nickel content.
• Meteoritical event: An occurrence involving the fall or impact of a meteorite.
  • The local meteoritical event was witnessed by hundreds of people.

Adjective

1. of or relating to or caused by meteorites