cirrostratus

[ sir-oh-strey-tuh s, -strat-uh s ]
/ ˌsɪr oʊˈstreɪ təs, -ˈstræt əs /

noun, plural cir·ro·stra·tus.

a cloud of a class characterized by a composition of ice crystals and often by the production of halo phenomena and appearing as a whitish and usually somewhat fibrous veil, often covering the whole sky and sometimes so thin as to be hardly discernible: of high altitude, about 20,000–40,000 feet (6000–12,000 meters).

Origin of cirrostratus

First recorded in 1795–1805; cirro- + stratus

OTHER WORDS FROM cirrostratus

cir·ro·stra·tive, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for cirrostratus

British Dictionary definitions for cirrostratus

cirrostratus
/ (ˌsɪrəʊˈstrɑːtəs) /

noun plural -ti (-taɪ)

a uniform layer of cloud above about 6000 metres (20 000 feet)

Derived forms of cirrostratus

cirrostrative, adjective

Scientific definitions for cirrostratus

cirrostratus
[ sîr′ō-strătəs ]

Plural cirrostrati (sîr′ō-strătī′)

A thin, hazy, high-altitude cloud composed of ice crystals, often covering the sky in sheets and producing a halo effect around the sun. Cirrostratus clouds generally form between 6,100 and 12,200 m (20,000 and 40,000 ft). See illustration at cloud.