cirrocumulus

[sir-oh-kyoo-myuh-luhs]

noun

plural

cirrocumulus 

1. a cirriform cloud of a class characterized by thin, white patches, each of which is composed of very small granules or ripples: of high altitude, about 20,000–40,000 feet (6000–12,000 meters). Cc

cirrocumulus

/ ˌsɪrəʊˈkjuːmjʊləs /

noun

1. meteorol a high cloud of ice crystals grouped into small separate globular masses, usually occurring above 6000 metres (20 000 feet) See also mackerel sky

cirrocumulus

plural

cirrocumuli 

1. A high-altitude cloud composed of a series of small, regularly arranged cloudlets in the form of ripples or grains. Cirrocumulus clouds generally form between 6,100 and 12,200 m (20,000 and 40,000 ft) and are composed exclusively of ice crystals.

2. See illustration at cloud

Other Word Forms

• cirrocumular adjective
• cirrocumulative adjective
• cirrocumulous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cirrocumulus¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; cirro- + cumulus