cloud: Meaning and Definition of

cloud

Pronunciation: (kloud), [key]
— n.
  1. a visible collection of particles of water or ice suspended in the air, usually at an elevation above the earth's surface.
  2. any similar mass, esp. of smoke or dust.
  3. a dim or obscure area in something otherwise clear or transparent.
  4. a patch or spot differing in color from the surrounding surface.
  5. anything that obscures or darkens something, or causes gloom, trouble, suspicion, disgrace, etc.
  6. a great number of insects, birds, etc., flying together: a cloud of locusts obscuring the sun.
  7. Their schemes are usually up in the clouds.
    1. in a condition of absent-mindedness; lost in reverie.
    2. impractical:Their schemes are usually up in the clouds.
  8. exceedingly happy; in high spirits: On the night of the prom the seniors were on a cloud.
  9. in disgrace; under suspicion: After going bankrupt he left town under a cloud.
—v.t.
  1. to overspread or cover with, or as with, a cloud or clouds: The smoke from the fire clouded the sun from view.
  2. to overshadow; obscure; darken: The hardships of war cloud his childhood memories.
  3. to make gloomy.
  4. (of distress, anxiety, etc.) to reveal itself in (a part of one's face): Worry clouded his brow.
  5. to make obscure or indistinct; confuse: Don't cloud the issue with unnecessary details.
  6. to place under suspicion, disgrace, etc.
  7. to variegate with patches of another color.
—v.i.
  1. to grow cloudy; become clouded.
  2. (of a part of one's face) to reveal one's distress, anxiety, etc.: His brow clouded with anger.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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