cumulus
/ˈkjuːmjʊləs
/noun (plural cumuli /ˈkjuːmjʊlʌɪ/ /ˈkjuːmjʊliː/) [mass noun] Meteorology
Cloud forming rounded masses heaped on each other above a flat base at fairly low altitude: the high cumulus is breaking up to give a lovely summer evening [count noun]: silent, moving, red-tinged cumuli...
- When the air condenses into small, lumpy, low pockets of cloud, this is cumulus.
- These types of funnel clouds form out of large cumulus clouds or very weak thunderstorms and normally do not have the energy to reach the ground.
- The basic cloud forms are cumulus, which are heaped clouds; stratus, which are layer clouds; and cirrus, which are wispy.
Derivatives
cumulous
- The spokesperson explained that heavy thunderstorms come from cumulous cloud, which go up to 40,000 ft into the atmosphere.
- Above the mighty fortress of earth, dark cumulous nimbus clouds clash violently against each other invoking the worst of all storms and hindering all whom dare to cross by air.
- We were both quiet as we watched the cirrus and cumulous clouds float aimlessly in the vast opening above us.
Origin
Mid 17th century (denoting a heap or an accumulation): from Latin, 'heap'.