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altostratus - 3 dictionary results

al⋅to⋅stra⋅tus

[al-toh-strey-tuhs, -strat-uhs]
–noun, plural -tus. Meteorology.
a cloud of a class characterized by a generally uniform gray sheet or layer, lighter in color than nimbostratus and darker than cirrostratus: of medium altitude, about 8000–20,000 ft. (2450–6100 m).

Origin:
1890–95; alto- + stratus
al·to·stra·tus   (āl'tō-strā'təs, -strāt'əs)   
n.  An extended cloud formation of bluish or gray sheets or layers.

[Latin altus, high; see al-2 in Indo-European roots + stratus.]
altostratus   (āl'tō-strāt'əs)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural altostrati (āl'tō-strāt'ī')
A mid-altitude cloud that extends in flat, smooth sheets or layers of varying thickness. Altostratus clouds generally form between 2,000 and 6,100 m (6,560 and 20,000 ft) and often produce long, steady rain showers. See illustration at cloud.
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