Clouds
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cloud
(kloud)n.
1.
a. A visible body of very fine water droplets or ice particles suspended in the atmosphere at altitudes ranging up to several miles above sea level.
b. A mass of particles or droplets, as of dust, smoke, or steam, suspended in the atmosphere or existing in outer space.
2.
a. A large moving body of things in the air or on the ground; a swarm: a cloud of locusts.
b. A collection of particles or other small entities: an electron cloud; a cloud of spores.
c. An opaque mass of particles suspended in water: a cloud of silt in the pond.
3. A dark region or blemish, as on a polished stone.
4. A state or cause of sadness, worry, or anger: At the bad news a cloud fell over the celebration.
5. A state or cause of confusion or misunderstanding: writing made difficult by a cloud of jargon.
6. A state or cause of suspicion or disgrace: A cloud of mistrust lingers among the signers of the treaty.
7.
a. A large area of coordinated wireless internet service.
b. The collection of data and services available through the internet: stored company data in the cloud.
v. cloud·ed, cloud·ing, clouds
v.tr.
1.
a. To cover or obscure with clouds: We could not see the moon because the sky was clouded over.
b. To make less clear or transparent: Smoke clouded the sky. Steam clouded the windows.
2.
a. To make sorrowful, troubled, or angry: a bad memory that clouded his spirits.
b. To cause to appear sorrowful, troubled, or angry: Worry clouded her face.
3.
a. To make difficult to know or understand; make obscure or uncertain: The economic downturn clouded the future of the project.
b. To confuse: Don't let your resentments cloud your judgment.
4. To cast aspersions on; sully: Scandal clouded the officer's reputation.
v.intr.
Idioms: 1.
a. To become cloudy or overcast: The sky clouded over.
b. To become dark, obscure, or less transparent: The water in the tank clouded up.
2. To show sorrow, worry, or anger: His face clouded at the news.
in the clouds
Impractical.
under a cloud
Under suspicion or in a state of disgrace.
[Middle English, hill, cloud, from Old English clūd, rock, hill.]
cloud′less adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Clouds
an instrument for measuring by triangulation and recording the distance between the earth and the cloud ceiling.
divination by the observation of clouds.
an apparatus for expanding moist air to demonstrate the process of cloud formation.
a photograph of clouds, taken with a nephograph.
an instrument for photographing clouds and producing nephrograms.
the branch of meteorology that studies clouds. — nephologic, nephological, adj. — nephologist, n.
an abnormal fear of clouds.
the condition of being visible during the short summer nights, especially high-altitude clouds. — noctilucent adj.
1. the formation or arrangement of clouds.
2. the obscuration caused by clouds.
2. the obscuration caused by clouds.
-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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