1.
cirrus cloud; cirrus
A type of high-altitude, thin, wispy cloud formed at very high altitudes. One of the ten basic cloud types in meteorology.
A compound of 巻 (curl, roll) and 雲 (cloud). The formal meteorological term for cirrus clouds, which are thin, feathery clouds found at high altitudes.
Common collocations
Related words
Other cloud types
Usage
In everyday language, cirrus clouds are often called すじ雲 (streak clouds) due to their wispy, hair-like appearance. 巻雲 is the more technical/scientific term.
Related Words
Related:
積雲 (cumulus cloud)
Compare:
巻積雲 (cirrocumulus cloud)
Related:
層雲 (stratus cloud)
Related:
積乱雲 (cumulonimbus, thundercloud)