altostratus
[ al-toh-strey-tuhs, -strat-uhs ]
/ ˌæl toʊˈstreɪ təs, -ˈstræt əs /
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noun, plural al·to·stra·tus.Meteorology.
a cloud of a class characterized by a generally uniform gray sheet or layer, lighter in color than nimbostratus and darker than cirrostratus: of medium altitude, about 8000–20,000 feet (2450–6100 meters).
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use altostratus in a sentence
On the 29th a cold south-easter blew off the ice-cliffs and the sun was trying to pierce a gauzy alto-stratus.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas MawsonThrough openings in these clouds an upper layer of cirro-stratus or alto-stratus may almost invariably be seen.
Alto-stratus is a grey or bluish veil through which the sun and moon are faintly visible, occasionally giving rise to coronæ.
Sounding the Ocean of Air|A. Lawrence RotchThe cirro-stratus at a lower level is called alto-stratus and this becomes heavy enough to obscure the sun.
Reading the Weather|Thomas Morris Longstreth
British Dictionary definitions for altostratus
altostratus
/ (ˌæltəʊˈstreɪtəs, -ˈstrɑː-) /
noun plural -ti (-taɪ)
a layer cloud at an intermediate height of about 2400 to 6000 metres (8000 to 20 000 feet)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for altostratus
altostratus
[ ăl′tō-străt′əs ]
Plural altostrati (ăl′tō-străt′ī′)
A mid-altitude cloud that extends in flat, smooth sheets or layers of varying thickness. Altostratus clouds generally form between 2,000 and 6,100 m (6,560 and 20,000 ft) and often produce long, steady rain showers. See illustration at cloud.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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