stratus

[strey-tuh s, strat-uh s] /ˈstreɪ təs, ˈstræt əs/

noun, plural strati

[strey-tahy, strat-ahy] /ˈstreɪ taɪ, ˈstræt aɪ/ (Show IPA)

a cloud of a class characterized by a gray, horizontal layer with a uniform base, found at a lower altitude than altostratus, usually below 8000 feet (2400 meters).

Origin

1795-1805; < Latin strātus; see stratum

Examples from the web for stratus

stratus clouds can blanket the entire sky in a single pattern.
stratus clouds are good indicators that precipitation is approaching.
Fog will often lift into a layer of stratus by an increase in wind or a rise in temperature.
stratus clouds are usually the only clouds that touch the ground.

British Dictionary definitions for stratus

stratus

/ˈstreɪtəs/

noun (pl) -ti (-taɪ)

a grey layer cloud Compare cirrus (sense 1), cumulus

Word Origin

C19: via New Latin from Latin: strewn, from sternere to extend

Word Origin and History for stratus

"a low layer of cloud," 1803, from Latin stratus "a spreading," from stratus, past participle of sternere (see stratum).

stratus in Science

stratus

(strāt'əs, strā'təs)
Plural strati (strāt'ī, strā'tī)
A diffuse, grayish cloud that often produces drizzle and is formed primarily in altitudes no higher than 2,000 m (6,560 ft). A stratus cloud close to the ground or water is called fog. See illustration at cloud.

stratus in Technology

company
One of the leading manufacturers of fault-tolerant computer systems. While virtually all of Stratus' core hardware and software is sold into the financial services, telecommunications, travel and transportation, and gaming these markets, a broad range of middleware and applications are developed and marketed by Stratus, its subsidiaries, and third party partners.
Yearly sales $609M, profits $43.5M (1996).
(https://stratus,com).
(1997-04-24)