cloud
cloud definition
cloud (klo̵ud)
noun
- a visible mass of tiny, condensed water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere: clouds are commonly classified in four groups: A (high clouds above 6,096 m or 20,000 ft) cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus; B (intermediate clouds, 1,981 m to 6,096 m or 6,500 to 20,000 ft) altostratus, altocumulus; C (low clouds, below 1,981 m or 6,500 ft) stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus; D (clouds of great vertical continuity) cumulus, cumulonimbus
- a mass of smoke, dust, steam, etc.
- a great number of things close together and in motion a cloud of locusts
- an appearance of murkiness or dimness, as in a liquid
- a dark marking, as in marble
- anything that darkens, obscures, threatens, or makes gloomy
Etymology: ME cloude, clude, orig., mass of rock, hence, mass of cloud < OE clud, mass of rock: for IE base see climb
transitive verb
- to cover or make dark as with clouds
- to make muddy or foggy
- to darken; obscure; threaten
- to make gloomy or troubled
- to cast slurs on; sully (a reputation, etc.)
intransitive verb
- to become cloudy
- to become gloomy or troubled
cloud Idioms
in the clouds
- high up in the sky
- fanciful; impractical
- in a reverie or daydream
under a cloud
- under suspicion of wrongdoing
- in a depressed or troubled state of mind
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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