From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Stratus \Stra"tus\, n. [L. stratus a spreading out, scattering,
from sternere, stratum, to spread.] (Meteor.)
A form of clouds in which they are arranged in a horizontal
band or layer. See {Cloud}.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cloud \Cloud\ (kloud), n. [Prob. fr. AS. cl[=u]d a rock or
hillock, the application arising from the frequent
resemblance of clouds to rocks or hillocks in the sky or
air.]
1. A collection of visible vapor, or watery particles,
suspended in the upper atmosphere.
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I do set my bow in the cloud. --Gen. ix. 13.
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Note: A classification of clouds according to their chief
forms was first proposed by the meteorologist Howard,
and this is still substantially employed. The following
varieties and subvarieties are recognized:
(a) {Cirrus}. This is the most elevated of all the forms
of clouds; is thin, long-drawn, sometimes looking like
carded wool or hair, sometimes like a brush or room,
sometimes in curl-like or fleecelike patches. It is
the cat's-tail of the sailor, and the mare's-tail of
the landsman.
(b) {Cumulus}. This form appears in large masses of a
hemispherical form, or nearly so, above, but flat
below, one often piled above another, forming great
clouds, common in the summer, and presenting the
appearance of gigantic mountains crowned with snow. It
often affords rain and thunder gusts.
(c) {Stratus}. This form appears in layers or bands
extending horizontally.
(d) {Nimbus}. This form is characterized by its uniform
gray tint and ragged edges; it covers the sky in
seasons of continued rain, as in easterly storms, and
is the proper rain cloud. The name is sometimes used
to denote a raining cumulus, or cumulostratus.
(e) {Cirro-cumulus}. This form consists, like the cirrus,
of thin, broken, fleecelice clouds, but the parts are
more or less rounded and regulary grouped. It is
popularly called mackerel sky.
(f) {Cirro-stratus}. In this form the patches of cirrus
coalesce in long strata, between cirrus and stratus.
(g) {Cumulo-stratus}. A form between cumulus and stratus,
often assuming at the horizon a black or bluish tint.
-- {Fog}, cloud, motionless, or nearly so, lying near
or in contact with the earth's surface. -- {Storm
scud}, cloud lying quite low, without form, and driven
rapidly with the wind.
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2. A mass or volume of smoke, or flying dust, resembling
vapor. "A thick cloud of incense." --Ezek. viii. 11.
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3. A dark vein or spot on a lighter material, as in marble;
hence, a blemish or defect; as, a cloud upon one's
reputation; a cloud on a title.
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4. That which has a dark, lowering, or threatening aspect;
that which temporarily overshadows, obscures, or
depresses; as, a cloud of sorrow; a cloud of war; a cloud
upon the intellect.
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5. A great crowd or multitude; a vast collection. "So great a
cloud of witnesses." --Heb. xii. 1.
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6. A large, loosely-knitted scarf, worn by women about the
head.
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{Cloud on a} (or the) {title} (Law), a defect of title,
usually superficial and capable of removal by release,
decision in equity, or legislation.
{To be under a cloud}, to be under suspicion or in disgrace;
to be in disfavor.
{In the clouds}, in the realm of facy and imagination; beyond
reason; visionary.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
stratus
n 1: a large dark low cloud [syn: {stratus}, {stratus cloud}]
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