Cloud Words

The key to understanding almost every cloud

in the atmosphere!
Latin Words
Many words in science come from the original Latin
words. People do not speak Latin anymore, but we still
use words from this language.

As we learn about different cloud types, you will need to

know the meaning of several Latin words to help you
understand why we have given certain cloud formations
their names.
Cloud Words to Know
Here is a list of words that you will need to learn.

stratus
cumulus
cirrus
alto
nimbus
Stratus
Here is the first Latin word that you will need to know.
Try to memorize the word and what it means.

Stratus – the word stratus means

“flattened” or “spread out” or “layer.”

Hint: One way to remember what the word stratus means is

to say this rhyme – stratus flatus (because stratus means
“flat layer” kind of like a blanket.)
Cumulus
Here is the second Latin word that you will need to know.
Try to memorize the word and what it means.

Cumulus – the word cumulus means

“heap” or “pile.”

Hint: If you accumulate something, you are gathering or piling

up something little by little. The word cumulus means “pile”
or “heap.” The word accumulate and cumulus sound the same.
Cirrus
Here is the third Latin word that you will need to know.
Try to memorize the word and what it means.

Cirrus – the word cirrus means “curl

(of hair)” or “fringe.”

Hint: If you want to get your hair cut, you have to use a pair
of scissors. Instead of saying scissors, say the word cirrus –
“I cut my hair with a pair of cirrus!” (This could remind you
that cirrus means “curl of hair.”)
Alto
Here is the forth Latin word that you will need to know.
Try to memorize the word and what it means.

Alto – the word alto means “middle”

or the “second highest.”

Hint: In a choir, the soprano sings the highest, and an alto

sings the second highest, or in the middle. In science, “alto
means “middle” or “second highest.”
Nimbus
Here is the fifth Latin word that you will need to know.
Try to memorize the word and what it means.

Nimbus – the word nimbus means

“rain” or “dark rain cloud.”

Hint: Harry Potter rides a very fancy broom called the

“Nimbus 2000.”
Review
Here is a list of all of the Latin words that you have just
learned.
Stratus – the word stratus means “flattened” or “spread
out” or “layer.”
Cumulus – the word cumulus means “heap” or “pile.”
Cirrus – the word cirrus means “curl (of hair)” or
“fringe.”
Alto – the word alto means “middle” or the “second
highest.”
Nimbus – the word nimbus means “rain” or “dark rain
cloud.”