Adjacent Words

Cloud definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

CLOUD, n. [I have not found this word in any other language. The sense is obvious--a collection.]
1. A collection f visible vapor, or watery particles, suspended in the atmosphere, at some altitude. A like collection of vapors near the earth is usually called fog.
I do set my bow in the cloud. Genesis 9.
Behold, a white cloud. Revelation 14.
2. A state of obscurity or darkness.
3. A collection of smoke, or a dense collection of dust, rising or floating in the air; as a cloud of dust.
A cloud of incense. Ezek 8.
4. The dark or varied colors, in veins or spots, on stones or other bodies, are called clouds.
5. A great multitude; a vast collection.
Seeing we are encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses. Hebrews 12.
CLOUD, v.t. To overspread with a cloud or clouds; as, the sky is clouded; clouds intercept the rays of the sun. Hence,
2. To obscure; to darken; as, to cloud the day, or truth, or reason.
3. To darken in veins or spots; to variegate with colors; as clouded marble.
4. To make of a gloomy aspect; to give the appearance of sullenness.
What sullen fury clouds his scornful brow.
5. To sully; to tarnish.
CLOUD, v.i. To grow cloudy; to become obscure with clouds; sometimes followed by over; as, the sky clouds over.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
2: a visible mass of water or ice particles suspended at a considerable altitude
3: out of touch with reality; "his head was in the clouds"
4: a cause of worry or gloom or trouble; "the only cloud on the horizon was the possibility of dissent by the French"
5: suspicion affecting your reputation; "after that mistake he was under a cloud"
6: a group of many things in the air or on the ground; "a swarm of insects obscured the light"; "clouds of blossoms"; "it discharged a cloud of spores" [syn: swarm, cloud] v
1: make overcast or cloudy; "Fall weather often overcasts our beaches" [syn: overcast, cloud] [ant: brighten, clear, clear up, light up]
2: make less visible or unclear; "The stars are obscured by the clouds"; "the big elm tree obscures our view of the valley" [syn: obscure, befog, becloud, obnubilate, haze over, fog, cloud, mist]
3: billow up in the form of a cloud; "The smoke clouded above the houses"
4: make gloomy or depressed; "Their faces were clouded with sadness"
5: place under suspicion or cast doubt upon; "sully someone's reputation" [syn: defile, sully, corrupt, taint, cloud]
6: make less clear; "the stroke clouded memories of her youth"
7: colour with streaks or blotches of different shades [syn: mottle, dapple, cloud]
8: make milky or dull; "The chemical clouded the liquid to which it was added"

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English, rock, cloud, from Old English cl?d; perhaps akin to Greek gloutos buttock Date: 14th century 1. a visible mass of particles of condensed vapor (as water or ice) suspended in the atmosphere of a planet (as the earth) or moon 2. something resembling or suggesting a cloud: as a. a light filmy, puffy, or billowy mass seeming to float in the air <a cloud of blond hair> <a ship under a cloud of sail> b. (1) a usually visible mass of minute particles suspended in the air or a gas (2) an aggregation of usually obscuring matter especially in interstellar space (3) an aggregate of charged particles (as electrons) c. a great crowd or multitude ; swarm <clouds of mosquitoes> 3. something that has a dark, lowering, or threatening aspect <clouds of war> <a cloud of suspicion> 4. something that obscures or blemishes <a cloud of ambiguity> 5. a dark or opaque vein or spot (as in marble or a precious stone) II. verb Date: 1562 intransitive verb 1. to grow cloudy — usually used with over or up <clouded over before the storm> 2. a. of facial features to become troubled, apprehensive, or distressed in appearance <her face clouded with worry> b. to become blurry, dubious, or ominous — often used with over <the outlook is clouding over> 3. to billow up in the form of a cloud transitive verb 1. a. to envelop or hide with or as if with a cloud <smog clouded our view> b. to make opaque especially by condensation of moisture <steam clouded the windows> c. to make murky especially with smoke or mist <smoke clouded the sky> 2. to make unclear or confused <cloud the issue> 3. taint, sully <a clouded reputation> 4. to cast gloom over <cloud prospects for success>

Britannica Concise

Any visible mass of water droplets, ice crystals, or a mixture of the two that is suspended in the air, usually at a considerable height. Clouds are usually created and sustained by upward-moving air currents. Meteorologists classify clouds primarily by their appearance. The 10 main cloud families are divided into three groups on the basis of altitude. High clouds, which are found at mean heights of 45,000-16,500 ft (13-5 km), are, from highest to lowest, cirrus, cirrocumulus, and cirrostratus. Middle clouds, at 23,000-6,500 ft (7-2 km), are altocumulus, altostratus, and nimbostratus. Low clouds, at 6,500-0 ft (2-0 km), are stratocumulus, stratus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus. A shallow layer of cloud at or near ground level is called fog.

NOAA Weather Glossary

A visible cluster of tiny water and/or ice particles in theatmosphere.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 a visible mass of condensed watery vapour floating in the atmosphere high above the general level of the ground. 2 a mass of smoke or dust. 3 (foll. by of) a great number of insects, birds, etc., moving together. 4 a a state of gloom, trouble, or suspicion. b a frowning or depressed look (a cloud on his brow). 5 a local dimness or a vague patch of colour in or on a liquid or a transparent body. 6 an unsubstantial or fleeting thing. 7 obscurity. --v. 1 tr. cover or darken with clouds or gloom or trouble. 2 intr. (often foll. by over, up) become overcast or gloomy. 3 tr. make unclear. 4 tr. variegate with vague patches of colour. Phrases and idioms: cloud-castle a daydream. cloud chamber a device containing vapour for tracking the paths of charged particles, X-rays, and gamma rays. clouded leopard a mottled arboreal S. Asian feline, Neofelis nebulosa. cloud-hopping movement of an aircraft from cloud to cloud esp. for concealment. cloud-land a utopia or fairyland. in the clouds 1 unreal, imaginary, mystical. 2 (of a person) abstracted, inattentive. on cloud nine (or seven) colloq. extremely happy. under a cloud out of favour, discredited, under suspicion. with one's head in the clouds day-dreaming, unrealistic. Derivatives: cloudless adj. cloudlessly adv. cloudlet n. Etymology: OE clud mass of rock or earth, prob. rel. to CLOD

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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. I do set my bow in the cloud. --Gen. ix. 13. 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. 2. A mass or volume of smoke, or flying dust, resembling vapor. ``A thick cloud of incense.'' --Ezek. viii. 11. 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. 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. 5. A great crowd or multitude; a vast collection. ``So great a cloud of witnesses.'' --Heb. xii. 1. 6. A large, loosely-knitted scarf, worn by women about the head. 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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Cloud Cloud, v. i. To grow cloudy; to become obscure with clouds; -- often used with up. Worthies, away! The scene begins to cloud. --Shak.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Cloud Cloud, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clouded; p. pr. & vb. n. Clouding.] 1. To overspread or hide with a cloud or clouds; as, the sky is clouded. 2. To darken or obscure, as if by hiding or enveloping with a cloud; hence, to render gloomy or sullen. One day too late, I fear me, noble lord, Hath clouded all thy happy days on earth. --Shak. Be not disheartened, then, nor cloud those looks. --Milton. Nothing clouds men's minds and impairs their honesty like prejudice. --M. Arnold. 3. To blacken; to sully; to stain; to tarnish; to damage; -- esp. used of reputation or character. I would not be a stander-by to hear My sovereign mistress clouded so, without My present vengeance taken. --Shak. 4. To mark with, or darken in, veins or sports; to variegate with colors; as, to cloud yarn. And the nice conduct of a clouded cane. --Pope.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(clouds, clouding, clouded) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. A cloud is a mass of water vapour that floats in the sky. Clouds are usually white or grey in colour. ...the varied shapes of the clouds... The sky was almost entirely obscured by cloud. ...the risks involved in flying through cloud. N-VAR 2. A cloud of something such as smoke or dust is a mass of it floating in the air. The hens darted away on all sides, raising a cloud of dust. N-COUNT: usu N of n 3. If you say that something clouds your view of a situation, you mean that it makes you unable to understand the situation or judge it properly. Perhaps anger had clouded his vision, perhaps his judgment had been faulty... In his latter years religious mania clouded his mind. VERB: V n, V n 4. If you say that something clouds a situation, you mean that it makes it unpleasant. The atmosphere has already been clouded by the BJP's anger at the media. VERB: V n 5. If glass clouds or if moisture clouds it, tiny drops of water cover the glass, making it difficult to see through. The mirror clouded beside her cheek... I run the water very hot, clouding the mirror. = mist VERB: V, V n 6. If you say that someone is on cloud nine, you are emphasizing that they are very happy. (INFORMAL) When Michael was born I was on cloud nine. PHRASE: usu v-link PHR [emphasis] 7. every cloud has a silver lining: see silver lining

Easton's Bible Dictionary

The Hebrew so rendered means "a covering," because clouds cover the sky. The word is used as a symbol of the Divine presence, as indicating the splendour of that glory which it conceals (Ex. 16:10; 33:9; Num. 11:25; 12:5; Job 22:14; Ps. 18:11). A "cloud without rain" is a proverbial saying, denoting a man who does not keep his promise (Prov. 16:15; Isa. 18:4; 25:5; Jude 1:12). A cloud is the figure of that which is transitory (Job 30:15; Hos. 6:4). A bright cloud is the symbolical seat of the Divine presence (Ex.29:42, 43; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Chr. 5:14; Ezek. 43:4), and was called the Shechinah (q.v.). Jehovah came down upon Sinai in a cloud (Ex. 19:9); and the cloud filled the court around the tabernacle in the wilderness so that Moses could not enter it (Ex. 40:34, 35). At the dedication of the temple also the cloud "filled the house of the Lord" (1 Kings 8:10). Thus in like manner when Christ comes the second time he is described as coming "in the clouds" (Matt. 17:5; 24:30; Acts 1:9, 11). False teachers are likened unto clouds carried about with a tempest (2 Pet. 2:17). The infirmities of old age, which come one after another, are compared by Solomon to "clouds returning after the rain" (Eccl. 12:2). The blotting out of sins is like the sudden disappearance of threatening clouds from the sky (Isa. 44:22).

Cloud, the pillar of, was the glory-cloud which indicated God's presence leading the ransomed people through the wilderness (Ex. 13:22; 33:9, 10). This pillar preceded the people as they marched, resting on the ark (Ex. 13:21; 40:36). By night it became a pillar of fire (Num. 9:17-23).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kloud (`anan, `abh; nephele, nephos):

I. Clouds in Palestine.

In the Bible few references are found of particular clouds or of clouds in connection with the phenomena of the weather conditions. The weather in Palestine is more even and has less variety than that in other lands. It is a long, narrow country with sea on the West and desert on the East. The wind coming from the West is always moist and brings clouds with it. If the temperature over the land is low enough the clouds will be condensed and rain will fall, but if the temperature is high, as in the five months of summer, there can be no rain even though clouds are seen. As a whole the winter is cloudy and the summer clear.

1. Rain Clouds:

In the autumn rain storms often arise suddenly from the sea, and what seems to be a mere haze, "as small as a man's hand," such as Gehazi saw (1Ki 18:44) over the sea, within a few hours becomes the black storm cloud pouring down torrents of rain (1Ki 18:45). Fog is almost unknown and there is very seldom an overcast, gloomy day. The west and southwest winds bring rain (Lu 12:54).

2. Disagreeable Clouds:

In the months of April, May and September a hot east wind sometimes rises from the desert and brings with it a cloud of dust which fills the air and penetrates everything. In the summer afternoons, especially in the month of August, on the seacoast there is apt to blow up from the South a considerable number of low cirro-stratus clouds which seem to fill the air with dampness, making more oppressive the dead heat of summer. These are doubtless the detested "clouds without water" mentioned in Jude 1:12, and "heat by the shade of a cloud" (Isa 25:5).

II. Figurative Uses.

1. Yahweh's Presence and Glory:

The metaphoric and symbolic uses of clouds are many, and furnish some of the most powerful figures of Scripture. In the Old Testament, Yahweh's presence is made manifest and His glory shown forth in a cloud. The cloud is usually spoken of as bright and shining, and it could not be fathomed by man: "Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, so that no prayer can pass through" (La 3:44). Yahweh Himself was present in the cloud (Ex 19:9; 24:16; 34:5) and His glory filled the places where the cloud was (Ex 16:10; 40:38; Nu 10:34); "The cloud filled the house of Yahweh" (1Ki 8:10). In the New Testament we often have "the Son of man coming on" or "with clouds" (Mt 24:30; 26:64; Mr 13:26; 14:62; Lu 21:27) and received up by clouds (Ac 1:9). The glory of the second coming is indicated in Re 1:7 for "he cometh with the clouds" and "we that are alive .... shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord" and dwell with Him (1Th 4:17).

2. Pillar of Cloud:

The pillar of cloud was a symbol of God's guidance and presence to the children of Israel in their journeys to the promised land. The Lord appeared in a pillar of cloud and forsook them not (Ne 9:19). They followed the guidance of this cloud (Ex 40:36; Ps 78:14).

3. Bow in Cloud:

The clouds are spoken of in the Old Testament as the symbol of God's presence and care over His people; and so the "bow in the cloud" (Ge 9:13) is a sign of God's protection.

4. Clouds Blot Out:

As the black cloud covers the sky and blots out the sun from sight, so Yahweh promises "to blot out the sins" of Israel (Isa 44:22); Egypt also shall be conquered, "As for her, a cloud shall cover her" (Eze 30:18; compare La 2:1).

5. Transitory:

There is usually a wide difference in temperature between day and night in Palestine. The days axe warm and clouds coming from the sea are often completely dissolved in the warm atmosphere over the land. As the temperature falls, the moisture again condenses into dew and mist over the hills and valleys. As the sun rises the "morning cloud" (Ho 6:4) is quickly dispelled and disappears entirely. Job compares the passing of his prosperity to the passing clouds (Job 30:15).

6. God's Omnipotence and Man's Ignorance:

God "bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds" (Job 26:8) and the "clouds are the dust of his feet" (Na 1:3). Yahweh "commands the clouds that they rain no rain" (Isa 5:6), but as for man, "who can number the clouds?" (Job 38:37); "Can any understand the spreadings of the clouds?" (Job 36:29); "Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?" (Job 37:16). See BALANCINGS. "He that regardeth the clouds shall not reap" (Ec 11:4), for it is God who controls the clouds and man cannot fathom His wisdom. "Thick clouds are a covering to him" (Job 22:14).

7. Visions:

Clouds are the central figure in many visions. Ezekiel beheld "a stormy wind .... out of the north, a great cloud" (Eze 1:4), and John saw "a white cloud; and on the cloud one sitting" (Re 14:14). See also Da 7:13; Re 10:1; 11:12.

8. The Terrible and Unpleasant:

The cloud is also the symbol of the terrible and of destruction. The day of Yahweh's reckoning is called the "day of clouds" (Eze 30:3) and a day of "clouds and thick darkness" (Zec 1:15). The invader is expected to "come up as clouds" (Jer 4:13). Joe 2:2 foretells the coming of locusts as "a day of clouds and thick darkness" which is both literal and figurative. Misfortune and old age are compared to "the cloudy and dark day" (Eze 34:12) and "the clouds returning after rain" (Ec 12:2).

9. Various Other Figures:

Clouds are used in connection with various other figures. Rapidity of motion, "these that fly as a cloud" (Isa 60:8). As swaddling clothes of the newborn earth (Job 38:9); indicating great height (Job 20:6) and figurative in Isa 14:14, "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds," portraying the self- esteem of Babylon. "A morning without clouds" is the symbol of righteousness and justice (2Sa 23:4); partial knowledge and hidden glory (Le 16:2; Ac 1:9; Re 1:7).

Alfred H. Joy

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. 1. Nebulosity, haze, mist, fog, vapor, collection of vapor. 2. Dense mass (as of smoke or dust). 3. Throng, multitude, dense mass, vast number, host, army, horde, vast assemblage. 4. Blur, blurred spot, dark spot or blotch. 5. Darkness, obscurity, gloom, obscuration, eclipse. II. v. a. 1. Overspread, overcast, cover with clouds, becloud. 2. Darken, obscure, dim, begloom, shade, shadow. 3. Variegate (with dark veins or spots).

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

Tobacco. Under a cloud; in adversity.

Moby Thesaurus

a mass of, a world of, addle, addle the wits, adumbrate, afterdamp, apply to, army, ball up, becloud, bedarken, bedazzle, bedim, befog, befuddle, befuddlement, begloom, bemist, besmear, besmirch, bevy, bewilder, bewilderment, black, black out, blackdamp, blacken, blanket, blind, block, block the light, blot out, blur, bother, botheration, breath, brown, bug, bunch, camouflage, canopy, cast a shadow, chaos, charm, chokedamp, clabber up, cloak, clothe, cloud, cloud over, cloud up, clutter, conceal, confuse, confusion, cope, cover, cover up, covey, cowl, crowd, curtain, damp, darken, darken over, daze, dazzle, dim, dim out, discolor, discombobulate, discombobulation, discomfit, discomfiture, discompose, discomposure, disconcert, disconcertion, disguise, disorder, disorganization, disorganize, disorient, disorientation, dissemble, distract, distract attention from, disturb, disturbance, eclipse, effluvium, embarrass, embarrassment, encloud, encompass with shadow, enmist, ensconce, enshroud, entangle, envelop, exhalation, fetid air, film, firedamp, flatus, flight, flock, flocks, fluid, flummox, flurry, fluster, flutter, fog, frenzy, fuddle, fuddlement, fume, fuss, gaggle, gloom, gloss over, hail, haze, hide, hive, hood, host, jam, jumble, keep under cover, large amount, lay on, lay over, legion, lots, malaria, mantle, many, mask, masses of, maze, mephitis, mess, miasma, mist, mix up, mob, moider, muchness, muddle, muddlement, muddy, muffle, multitude, murk, murmuration, nest, nubilate, numbers, obduce, obfuscate, obnubilate, obscure, obumbrate, occult, occultate, opaque, overcast, overcloud, overlay, overshadow, oversmoke, overspread, pack, perplex, perplexity, perturb, perturbation, plague, plurality, pother, pucker, puff of smoke, put on, put out, puzzle, quantities, quite a few, raise hell, rattle, reek, rout, ruck, ruffle, scores, screen, scum, shade, shadow, shield, shoal, shroud, shuffle, skein, slur over, smear, smog, smoke, smudge, somber, spread over, spring, steam, stew, sully, superimpose, superpose, swarm, sweat, swivet, tar, tarnish, throng, throw into confusion, tidy sum, tizzy, unsettle, unsettlement, upset, vapor, varnish, veil, volatile, watch, water vapor, whitewash, worlds of