An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A collected meteorite whose arrival on Earth is witnessed, as opposed to a → find.

Etymology (EN): M.E. fallen, from O.E. feallan, from P.Gmc. *fallanan (cf. O.N. falla, O.H.G. fallan), from PIE base *phol- “to fall” (cf. Arm. p’ul “downfall;” Lith. puola “to fall”).

Etymology (PE): Oft, stem of oftâdan “to fall;” Mid.Pers. opastan “to fall,” patet “falls;” Av. pat- " to fly, fall, rush," patarəta- “winged;” cf. Skt. patati “he flies, falls,” pátra- “wing, feather, leaf;” Gk. piptein “to fall,” pterux “wing;” L. penna “feather, wing;” O.E. feðer “feather;” PIE base *pet- “to fly, rush.”