cumulus

American  

[kyoo-myuh-luhs] / ˈkyu myə ləs /

noun

PLURAL

cumulus

1. a heap; pile.

2. a cloud of a class characterized by dense individual elements in the form of puffs, mounds, or towers, with flat bases and tops that often resemble cauliflower: as such clouds develop vertically, they form cumulonimbus.

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cumulus British  

/ ˈkjuːmjʊləs /

noun

1. a bulbous or billowing white or dark grey cloud associated with rising air currents Compare cirrus stratus

2. histology the mass of cells surrounding a recently ovulated egg cell in a Graafian follicle

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cumulus Scientific  

/ kyo̅o̅m′yə-ləs /

PLURAL

cumuli

1. A dense, white, fluffy cloud with a flat base, a multiple rounded top, and a well-defined outline. The bases of cumulus clouds form primarily in altitudes below 2,000 m (6,560 ft), but their tops can reach much higher. Cumulus clouds are generally associated with fair weather but can also bring rain when they expand to higher levels. The clouds' edges are well-defined when they are composed of water droplets and fuzzy when made up of ice crystals.

2. See illustration at cloud

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Etymology

Origin of cumulus

1650–60; < New Latin ( Latin: mass, pile)

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, in Virginia, several old text messages swallowed attorney general nominee Jay Jones in a cumulus of controversy.

From Los Angeles Times

The company said "cumulus cloud rule" complicated the launch and they were "reviewing opportunities for our next launch attempt based on forecasted weather."

From Barron's

With a military base situated nearby, the threat of a nuclear attack hangs over the place like a nasty cumulus cloud.

From Salon

My sister materializes through golden-hued cumulus clouds, beckons with her hand for me to come to her, and so I do.

From Los Angeles Times

A recent study found that cumulus clouds, the small cotton ball-like ones typical for a sunny day, can dissipate once an eclipse begins.

From New York Times