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thunderhead

 - 8 dictionary results

thun⋅der⋅head

  [thuhn-der-hed]
Use thunderhead in a Sentence
–noun Meteorology.
1. incus (def. 2).
2. cumulonimbus.
3. the upper portion of a cumulus cloud characterized by dense, sharply defined, cauliflowerlike upper parts and sometimes by great verticality.
Origin:
1850–55, Americanism; thunder + head

cu⋅mu⋅lo⋅nim⋅bus

  [kyoo-myuh-loh-nim-buhs]
–noun, plural -bus.
a cloud of a class indicative of thunderstorm conditions, characterized by large, dense towers that often reach altitudes of 30,000 ft. (9000 m) or more, cumuliform except for their tops, which appear fibrous because of the presence of ice crystals: occurs as a single cloud or as a group with merged bases and separate tops.
Also called thundercloud, thunderclouds, thunderhead.

Origin:
1885–90; cumulo- + nimbus

in⋅cus

  [ing-kuhs]
–noun, plural in⋅cu⋅des  [in-kyoo-deez] for 1; in⋅cus for 2.
1. Anatomy. the middle one of a chain of three small bones in the middle ear of humans and other mammals. Compare malleus, stapes.
2. Also called anvil, anvil cloud, anvil top, thunderhead. the spreading, anvil-shaped, upper portion of a mature cumulonimbus cloud, smooth or slightly fibrous in appearance.
Origin:
1660–70; < NL, L incūs anvil, equiv. to incūd- (s. of incūdere to hammer, beat upon) + -s nom. sing. ending; see incuse

Related forms:
in⋅cu⋅date  [ing-kyuh-deyt, -dit, in-] , in⋅cu⋅dal  [ing-kyuh-dl, in-] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To thunderhead
thun·der·head   (thŭn'dər-hěd')   
n.  The swollen upper portion of a thundercloud, usually associated with the development of a thunderstorm.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·cus
Pronunciation: 'i[ng]-k&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural in·cu·des /i[ng]-'kyüd-(")Ez,'i[ng]-ky&-"dEz/
: the middle bone of the chain of three ossicles in the middle ear of a mammal resembling a premolar tooth with the body having a facet which articulates withthe malleus and with the longer of the two widely separated crura having a process which articulates with the stapes called also ambos, anvil
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

incus in·cus (ĭng'kəs)
n. pl. in·cu·des (ĭng-ky&oomacr;'dēz)
The middle of the three ossicles in the middle ear, located between the malleus and the stapes and composed of a body and two limbs. Also called anvil.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
cumulonimbus   (kym'yə-lō-nĭm'bəs)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural cumulonimbi (kym'yə-lō-nĭm'bī)
An extremely dense, vertically developed cloud with a low, dark base and fluffy masses that tower to great heights. Cumulonimbus clouds usually produce heavy rains, thunderstorms, or hailstorms. Also called thundercloud. See illustration at cloud.
incus   (ĭng-ky'dēz)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural incudes (ĭng-ky'dēz)

  1. The anvil-shaped bone (ossicle) that lies between the malleus and the stapes in the middle ear.

  2. The elongated, often anvil-shaped upper portion of a fully developed cumulonimbus cloud; a thunderhead.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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