Cloud Etymology


Cloud

From Old English clud, “mass of rock”
a 13c. metaphoric extension of cumulus clouds to rock masses.
Old English word for “cloud” was weolcan,
but “cloud” has iconicity.


Alto

From Latin altus, “high”.


Cirrus

From Latin cirrus, “a lock of hair, tendril, curl, ringlet of hair; the fringe of a garment”
to the clouds in 1803.


Cumulus

From Latin cumulus, “a heap, pile, mass, surplus”
from PIE *ku-m-olo-,
suffixed shortened form of base *keue-, “to swell”.


Nimbus

To English in 1610s, “bright cloud surrounding a god”
from Latin nimbus, “cloud”
perhaps related to nebula, “cloud, mist”.


Stratus

From Latin stratus, “a spreading”.

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