altocumulus

[al-toh-kyoo-myuh-luhs]

noun

Meteorology.

plural

altocumulus 

1. a cloud of a class characterized by globular masses or rolls in layers or patches, the individual elements being larger and darker than those of cirrocumulus and smaller than those of stratocumulus: of medium altitude, about 8000–20,000 feet (2450–6100 meters).

altocumulus

/ ˌæltəʊˈkjuːmjʊləs /

noun

1. a globular cloud at an intermediate height of about 2400 to 6000 metres (8000 to 20 000 feet)

altocumulus

plural

altocumuli 

1. A mid-altitude cloud composed of fleecy white or gray patches or bands. Altocumulus clouds generally form between 2,000 and 6,100 m (6,560 and 20,000 ft).

2. See illustration at cloud

Word History and Origins

Origin of altocumulus¹

First recorded in 1890–95; alto- + cumulus