- cloud (n.)
- Old English clud "mass of rock," related to clod. Metaphoric extension 13c. based on similarity of cumulus clouds and rock masses. The usual Old English word for "cloud" was weolcan. In Middle English, skie also originally meant "cloud." The four fundamental types of cloud classification (cirrus, cumulus, stratus, nimbus) were proposed by British amateur meteorologist Luke Howard (1772-1864) in 1802.
- cloud (v.)
- early 15c., from cloud (n.). Related: Clouded; clouding.