What is the root word for Cumulus?

Asked by: James Cunningham

cumulus (n.) 1650s, “a heap,” from Latin cumulus “a heap, pile, mass, surplus,” from PIE *ku-m-olo-, suffixed shortened form of root *keue- “to swell.” Meteorological use for “rounded mass of clouds, snowy white at the top with a darker, horizontal base” is attested by 1803.

What does the root word cumulonimbus mean?

Origin of cumulonimbus



From Latin cumulus (“amass”) + nimbus (“cloud”).

What is the root word for clouds?

The word cloud comes from the Old English word ‘clud’ meaning ‘rock mass, hill’. The word emerged sometime in the 1300s to describe the visible masses of evaporated water seen in the sky because these masses looked a lot like rock formations.

What does the root nimbus mean?

nimbus (n.)



1610s, “bright cloud surrounding a divine or sacred personage,” from Latin nimbus “cloud,” which is perhaps related to nebula “cloud, mist” (from PIE root *nebh- “cloud”). In art, the meaning “halo around the head of a representation of a divine or sacred person” is by 1727.

What does cumulus literally mean?

heap, accumulation

Definition of cumulus



1 : heap, accumulation. 2 [New Latin, from Latin] : a dense puffy cloud form having a flat base and rounded outlines often piled up like a mountain — see cloud illustration.

What is the root word of cirrus?

cirrus (n.)



1708, “curl-like fringe or tuft,” from Latin cirrus “a lock of hair, tendril, curl, ringlet of hair; the fringe of a garment.” In meteorology, in reference to light, fleecy clouds, attested from 1803; so called from fancied resemblance of shape.

Which cloud has a Latin root meaning layer or sheet?

Howard recognized four cloud types and named them using Latin words: Cumulus: Heaped or in a pile. Stratus: In a layer or sheet.

When were cumulus clouds named?

The classification of clouds into types was first proposed by Luke Howard in 1802 and we largely use the same system today. This splits clouds into three main types – stratus, cumulus and cirrus.

What does the prefix strato mean?

before vowels strat-, word-forming element referring to layers or layering, also stratus clouds, from combining form of Latin stratus “a spreading,” from PIE root *stere- “to spread.”

What does nimbus mean in clouds?

Definition of nimbus



1a : a luminous vapor, cloud, or atmosphere about a god or goddess when on earth. b : a cloud or atmosphere (as of romance) about a person or thing. 2 : an indication (such as a circle) of radiant light or glory about the head of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereign. 3a : a rain …

How does cumulus clouds form?

How do cumulus clouds form? All cumulus clouds develop because of convection. As air heated at the surface is lifted, it cools and water vapour condenses to produce the cloud. Throughout the day, if conditions allow, these can grow in height and size and can eventually form into cumulonimbus clouds.

What is a synonym for cumulus?

cumulation, gathering, lodgment. (or lodgement), pileup.

What is stratus Latin for?

Stratus. From the Latin stratus, past participle of the verb sternere, which means to extend, to spread out, to flatten out, to cover with a layer.

How would you describe cumulonimbus?

Cumulonimbus clouds are menacing looking multi-level clouds, extending high into the sky in towers or plumes. More commonly known as thunderclouds, cumulonimbus is the only cloud type that can produce hail, thunder and lightning.

What makes a cumulonimbus cloud?

Like many clouds, the cumulonimbus develops when warm air rises from the surface of the earth. As the warm air rises, it cools, and water vapor condenses into minute cloud droplets. In a thunderstorm, the updraft of warm air is rapid, and the cloud builds up quickly.

What does Stratus mean in science?

More specifically, the term stratus is used to describe flat, hazy, featureless clouds at low altitudes varying in color from dark gray to nearly white. The word stratus comes from the Latin prefix strato-, meaning “layer”. Stratus clouds may produce a light drizzle or a small amount of snow.

What cumulonimbus clouds bring?

8.1 Introduction. The cumulonimbus cloud, or thunderstorm, is a convective cloud or cloud system that produces rainfall and lightning. It often produces large hail, severe wind gusts, tornadoes, and heavy rainfall. Many regions of the earth depend almost totally upon cumulonimbus clouds for rainfall.

What is cumulonimbus clouds for kids?

Cumulonimbus clouds are large, tall clouds that are dark on the bottom and usually produce rain and thunderstorms. In fact, they are sometimes called thunderstorm clouds, but they can also bring different kinds of weather, including hail and snow showers, which might even get you out of school for a snow day!

What clouds produce tornadoes?

Cumulonimbus



These are sometimes called anvil clouds because of the way the upper-level winds shear the tops of the clouds and push them to one side. Meaning: Strong thunderstorms are likely and severe storms are possible. Hail, high winds and tornadoes could accompany any severe thunderstorms that develop.

How does cumulus clouds form?

How do cumulus clouds form? All cumulus clouds develop because of convection. As air heated at the surface is lifted, it cools and water vapour condenses to produce the cloud. Throughout the day, if conditions allow, these can grow in height and size and can eventually form into cumulonimbus clouds.

How do clouds form for kids?

The Short Answer: Clouds are created when water vapor, an invisible gas, turns into liquid water droplets. These water droplets form on tiny particles, like dust, that are floating in the air. You hang up a wet towel and, when you come back, it’s dry.

What is a fluffy cloud called?

Cumulus: Cumulus clouds are the clouds you learned to draw at an early age and that serve as the symbol of all clouds (much like the snowflake symbolizes winter). Their tops are rounded, puffy, and a brilliant white when sunlit, while their bottoms are flat and relatively dark.

What color is cumulus cloud?

light taupe

Benjamin Moore Cumulus Cloud is a beautiful light taupe paint color we all love!

Can cumulus clouds produce rain?

Most forms of heavy precipitation fall from cumulus clouds. The weather they bring depends on their height and size. The higher the base of a cloud is, the drier the atmosphere and the fairer the weather will be. Clouds located close to the ground mean heavy snow or rain.

How big is a cumulus cloud?

about one kilometer wide

Cumulus clouds have sharp outlines and a flat base at a height of 1000m. They are generally about one kilometer wide which is about the size of your fist or larger when you hold up your hand at arm’s length to look at the cloud. Cumulus clouds can be associated with fair or stormy weather.

How do you paint cumulus clouds?

From the last is that I have taken a bit of the sky blue color I mixed in equal portions ultramarine blue and cerulean.

How do you master clouds in acrylic?

Using the what's in the brush is enough you with acrylics. You want to paint it lighter because they dry darker. It's even that's a bit too dark. But I can probably use just that now.

Can stratus clouds produce rain?

Stratus clouds are uniform and flat, producing a gray layer of cloud cover which may be precipitation-free or may cause periods of light precipitation or drizzle.

Where are cumulonimbus clouds found?

the troposphere

Cumulonimbus clouds form in the lower part of the troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of the Earth. This region due to evaporation and the greenhouse effect produces alot of the warm updrafts that make creation of cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds possible.

What is precipitation in hydrological cycle?

Precipitation is water released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail. It is the primary connection in the water cycle that provides for the delivery of atmospheric water to the Earth. Most precipitation falls as rain.

How do tornadoes form?

Tornadoes form when warm, humid air collides with cold, dry air. The denser cold air is pushed over the warm air, usually producing thunderstorms. The warm air rises through the colder air, causing an updraft. The updraft will begin to rotate if winds vary sharply in speed or direction.