cirrocumulus cloud

7.8

A small, thin white cloud high in the sky that looks like tiny ripples

noun
/ˌsɪrəˈkjuːmələs klaʊd/

Specialized

: nube cirrocúmulo

On our hike, we admired the pattern of cirrocumulus clouds stretching across the blue sky.

Examples

The sky was dotted with delicate cirrocumulus clouds that looked like tiny ripples in the morning light.
Look at those beautiful cirrocumulus clouds!
Meteorologists noted the presence of cirrocumulus clouds ahead of the approaching cold front.
The cirrocumulus cloud formation was mesmerizing!
The cirrocumulus cloud formed beautiful patterns across the blue sky, resembling ripples on a peaceful lake.
As the airplane ascended, we could see cirrocumulus clouds scattered above us, creating a stunning tapestry of small, white patches.
On a clear day, cirrocumulus clouds can often be seen high in the atmosphere, adding texture to the otherwise empty sky.

Synonyms

cirrocumulus

vscirrocumulus cloud

Specialized

9.9

High white clouds that look like small ripples or patches in rows across the sky

is the same name but uses the full phrase including the common noun

Surface Forms

cirrocumulus cloud singular

cirrocumulus clouds plural

Morphology

cirrocumulus + cloud

The overall meaning is directly compositional: 'cirrocumulus' names a specific type of high-altitude, patchy cloud and 'cloud' simply names the category. If a B1 learner already knows the provided meanings of both constituents, the phrase 'cirrocumulus cloud' is immediately interpretable as that specific kind of cloud rather than an idiomatic or metaphorical expression.

Etymology

Cirrocumulus cloud The name cirrocumulus cloud comes from two parts: cirro meaning 'high' and cumulus meaning 'small heap' or 'pile'. These clouds appear as small white patches or ripples high in the sky, so the name paints a picture of their height and little, piled shapes.