Oh my word Hale, Hail

Hail functions as a noun and verb. As a noun, hail means pellets of frozen rain; figuratively, it refers to something coming in great numbers and with force such as bullets, firing, words, abuses, etc. Hailstone is a ball of hail (frozen ice). Hailstorm is a period of heavy hail (frozen ice falling as rain). He ventured out in his car in the hail but quickly returned as there was a hailstorm.

It hailed so hard that we had to stop. Hail as a verb refers to something falling on somebody hard and fast (The car driver hailed abuse after the biker damaged his car); hail means calling someone to draw his/her attention (He hailed for help by standing on the roadway as his car broke down); call a taxi to stop; call somebody enthusiastically (The moment Rajnikanth stepped into the auditorium, everyone hailed him as Basha); figuratively it also refers to acknowledging something great or monumental (The Tin Drum is hailed as one of the masterpieces of the 20th century written by Gunter Grass; Amitabh Bachchan is hailed as the hero of the millennium).

Hail also refers to someone originating from a place (Sonia Gandhi hails from Italy, but she settled in India). Within hailing distance is an idiom meaning close enough to be heard. Derivatives of hail are hails, hailed, hailing, and hailer. The government fails to have a proper planning when hail hits the state.Hail a taxi, please. I cannot drive you to the station.

Hale means happy, in a good mood, flourishing, blooming, strong, robust, vigorous; hale is an adjective; hale and hearty is an idiom meaning strong and healthy. I feel hale and hearty. To be hale and hearty one has to practice positive outlook and helpfulness to others.

By: Kovuuri G Reddy