starfall

From star +‎ fall.

starfall (countable and uncountable, plural starfalls)

1. (meteorology, astrology, rare) A great number of stars descending downward within outer space or the atmosphere; a meteor shower.
   • 1855, Royal Geographical Society, Proceedings and Monthly Record of Geography‎, London, pages 128–129:

     It may not be uninteresting to state that a brilliant and persistent rain of meteors, observed on the same November night both here and at Muscat, has been regarded as the certain sign and portent of ills present and to come, by Arabs in high places, who associate the troubles in the interior and along the Arabian coast with this splendid starfall.

   • 1872, The Student, “The November Shooting Stars”, in Richard Anthony Proctor, editor, Essays on Astronomy, page 119:

     Although there was no display of the November meteors last year [1867] in any part of Europe, yet the calculations of astronomers respecting the hour and character of the starfall accorded very closely with the results actually observed.

   • 2005, Druzelle Cederquist, The Story of Baháʼuʼlláh, Promised One of All Religions, page 13:

     More than thirty-four thousand stars fell in one hour, and the starfall continued all night.

2. (science fiction) The act of landing on a star.

   Coordinate term: planetfall

   • 1970, John Rackham, Danger from Vega‎, D. Dodson, →ISBN, pages 35–36:

     That was just a guess. Man had leaped into space with a new drive, had made starfalls on Procyon, 61 Cygni, Sirius, Altair, all within the fifteen light-year range of the first generation of engines.

3. (uncountable) Dark night; the time when stars become visible.
   • 1912, Norman Gale, Song in September, page 99:

     And how shall Philomel, by song oppressed, At starfall seek to lure me from my rest, When haply, lost in slumber, I may hear Young Cupid harping in that clovered breast?

   • 1921, Austin Clarke, The Sword of the West‎, Maunsel & Roberts, page 26:

     It is quiet and fire of dreams, and at the last/The gathering from wild rushes at starfall/Their bed and weary sleep.

   • 1964, Journal of the Viola Da Gamba Society of America, page 53:

     While the Bedouin Carries the same tent Over deserts unlocalized, At starfall pitches in whatever Plot, home's continuance.

   • 1979, Delmore Schwartz, Robert S. Phillips, Last and Lost Poems of Delmore Schwartz, page 65:

     Had I but told them my heart, told how it was Taunted at noon and pacified at dusk, at starfall midnight Strong in hope once more, ever in eagerness Jumping like joy, would they have heard?

4. (uncountable) The time when a shooting star or meteor shower occurs.
   • 2017, Antonia Rapheal, The Chronicles of Arcanilius: Origin Stories:

     "Wizard Whiterage was supposed to meet us at the summit of Doom at starfall,” said Zephyr.

   • 2018, Harold S Jacobson, Captain Seaspirit and His Remarkable Crew:

     At the very next Starfall there they were back again, searching the four corners of the ocean together for new scenes and adventures, and from then on the Bold Captain and his ship went to sea only at Starfall.