cu·mu·lus (ky m y -ls)n. pl. cu·mu·li (-l   ) 1. A dense, white, fluffy, flat-based cloud with a multiple rounded top and a well-defined outline, usually formed by the ascent of thermally unstable air masses. 2. A pile, mound, or heap. [Latin, heap; see keu - in Indo-European roots.] |
cumulus [ˈkjuːmjʊləs]
n pl -li [-ˌlaɪ]
1. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a bulbous or billowing white or dark grey cloud associated with rising air currents Compare cirrus [1] stratus
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Histology the mass of cells surrounding a recently ovulated egg cell in a Graafian follicle
[from Latin: mass]
| cumulus (kymy-ls) Plural cumuli (ky my-l) 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. See illustration at cloud. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  cumulus - a globular cloud altocumulus, altocumulus cloud - a cumulus cloud at an intermediate altitude of 2 or 3 miles cloud - a visible mass of water or ice particles suspended at a considerable altitude thunderhead - a rounded projecting mass of a cumulus cloud with shining edges; often appears before a thunderstorm |
| 2. |  cumulus - a collection of objects laid on top of each otheraggregation, collection, accumulation, assemblage - several things grouped together or considered as a whole compost heap, compost pile - a heap of manure and vegetation and other organic residues that are decaying to become compost scrapheap - pile of discarded metal shock - a pile of sheaves of grain set on end in a field to dry; stalks of Indian corn set up in a field; "corn is bound in small sheaves and several sheaves are set up together in shocks"; "whole fields of wheat in shock" slagheap - pile of waste matter from coal mining etc stack - an orderly pile funeral pyre, pyre - wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite woodpile - a pile or stack of wood to be used for fuel stockpile - a storage pile accumulated for future use |
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